Formation of a quaternary carbon center through the Pd(0)/PhCOOH-catalyzed allylation of cyclic beta-keto esters and 1,3-diketones with alkynes.

Formation of a quaternary carbon center through the allylation of beta-keto esters and 1,3-diketones with alkynes is accomplished by the use of Pd(0)/benzoic acid catalyst. Reactions of various cyclic beta-keto esters and 1,3-diketones with alkynes in the presence of Pd(2)dba(3).CHCl(3) (5 mol %), PPh(3) (40 mol %), and PhCOOH (10 mol %) proceeded at 100 degrees C in toluene (5 M) to give the corresponding allylation products in high yields in a regio- and stereoselective manner. The possibility of asymmetric allylation is also discussed.