Transition metal catalyzed nucleophilic allylic substitution: activation of allylic alcohols via π-allylic species.

Modern organic synthesis now requires efficient atom economical synthetic methods operating under greener pathways to achieve C-C and C-heteroatom bond formation. Direct activation of allylic alcohols in the presence of transition metal catalysts leading to electrophilic π-allyl metal intermediates represents such a promising target in the field of nucleophilic allylation reactions. During the last decade, this topic of recognized importance has become an emerging area, and selected transition metals, sometimes associated with alcohol activators, have brought elegant solutions for performing allylic substitution directly from alcohols in a regio, stereo and enantioselective manner.