This review aims to sum up recent developments in the synthesis of homoallylic and homopropargylic alcohols or amines by using methods based on catalytic or stoichiometric use of metallic zinc for allylation and propargylations of carbonyls or imines. These methods encompass various transformations which are now commonly expressed as Barbier-Grignard type reactions including several chemical or electrochemical processes. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.