Direct N-allylation of amides catalyzed by palladium(0) complexes took place underneutralconditions by the use of 2-allylisourea as the allylating agent.
2-Allylic-substituted isoureas underwent Wittig-type allylidenation of aldehydes in the presence of triphenylphosphine and 2 mol% of [Pd(PPh3)3] to give the corresponding conjugated olefins in tolerable to good yields.
Direct α-allylation of a variety of ketones and aldehydes with 2-allylisourea took place in the presence of a catalytic amount of a palladium(0) complex under neutral and mild conditions. Scope and limitations of this novel method have been investigated.