Palladium nanoparticle-catalyzed C-N bond formation. A highly regio- and stereoselective allylic amination by allyl acetates.

Palladium nanoparticles, generated in situ from the reaction of palladium(II) chloride, have been demonstrated to be an efficient catalyst for C-N bond formation. A variety of aliphatic and aromatic amines have been allylated by substituted and unsubstituted allyl acetates in high yields by using palladium nanoparticles in the presence of a base without any ligand. The allylations are highly regio- and stereoselective.