β-alkyl-α-allylation of Michael acceptors through the palladium-catalyzed three-component coupling between allylic substrates, trialkylboranes, and activated olefins
The palladium-catalyzed three-component β-alkyl-α-allylation reaction of activated olefins has been achieved. For example, in the presence of 5 mol % of Pd(PPh3)4, the reaction of benzylidenemalononitrile 1a with Et3B and allyl acetate 2a in THF proceeded smoothly at 40 °C to give the corresponding β-ethyl-α- allylated product 3a in 81% yield.