REGIOCONTROL AND STEREOSELECTIVITY IN TUNGSTEN-BIPYRIDINE CATALYZED ALLYLIC ALKYLATION

Tungsten-bipyridine complexes, generated in situ, catalyse the allylic alkylation of isocinnamyl methyl carbonate by dimethyl sodiomalonate [NaCH(CO2CH3)(2)] with complete syn-stereoselectivity. When para substituted aryl-allyl methyl carbonates are employed, the regioselectivity correlates with Swain-Lupton parameters. Cross-over experiments demonstrate that the reactions do not procede via the conventional [M(0)] --> [M(II) allyl](+) --> [M(0) allyl-Nu] catalytic cycle.