Palladium-catalyzed reaction of allyl carbamates; allylation of carbonucleophiles,and protection-deprotection of amines

Allylation of carbonucleophiles with allylic carbamates under neutral conditions has been studied. The C-allylation of carbonucleophile is competitive with the N-allylation of amines, and the structure of amines is crucial for the selectivity. Bulky secondary amines gave the best results. Also a new method of protection-deprotection of amines as carbamates has been developed. Smooth deprotection is possible by the palladium-catalyzed reaction of allyl carbamates with formic acid. This method is particulary useful for primary amines, including optically active amino acids.