The synthesis of homoallylic alcohols by allylation of carbonyl compounds is an important process~1 because these alcohols can be easily converted into many essential functional groups for natural product synthesis.~2 By the use of a variety of metals such as manganese,~3 tin,~4 and zinc,~5 different homoallylic alcohols are generally prepared via the Barbier-type reaction of allylic halides and carbonyl compounds with metal powder. Such reactions are typically performed in anhydrous organic solvents under an inert atmosphere.~5a-5f The feasibility of performing organometallic reactions in an aqueous media has been of considerable recent interest.~(5g-5f) Luche has demonstrated that the Barbier-type reaction could be performed in a mixture of organic solvent with water, particularly when the metla surface was activated by ultrasound~5k or with ammonium salts. The present work describes a study of the Barbier-type reaction of allyl bromide and carbonyl compounds in the presence of zinc powder and ammonium chloride in an aqueous media.
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