Rhodium-catalyzed allyl transfer from homoallyl alcohols to aldehydes via retro-allylation followed by isomerization into ketones.

Retro-allylation of homoallyl alcohol by rhodium catalysis occurs to generate allylrhodium species. This allylrhodium reacts with aldehydes to give the corresponding secondary alcohols in situ. Isomerization of these alcohols proceeds in the same pots to furnish the corresponding saturated ketones in good yields. [reaction: see text]