Pd-catalyzed allylation of CH acids under phase-transfer conditions

The composition of the products obtained by Pd-catalyzed allylation of diethyl (alkyl)-malonates and ethyl cyanoacetate with allylic acetates under phase-transfer conditions using potassium carbonate or phosphate as bases depended strongly on the nature of the reactants and the ligands used. The highest yields and the fraction of the “linear” regioisomers were achieved in the reactions of prenyl or 3-methylbut-1-en-3-yl acetates in the presence of phosphordiamidite ligands.