Palladium-Catalyzed Electrochemical Allylic Alkylation between Alkyl and Allylic Halides in Aqueous Solution.

A new route for the direct cross-coupling of alkyl and allylic halides using electrochemical technique has been developed in aqueous media under air. Catalyzed by Pd(OAc)2, the Zn-mediated allylic alkylations proceed smoothly between a full range of alkyl halides (primary, secondary, and tertiary) and substituted allylic halides. Protection-deprotection of acidic hydrogen in the substrates is avoided.