Palladium-Catalyzed Allyl-Allyl Reductive Coupling of Allylamines or Allylic Alcohols with H2 as Sole Reductant.

Catalytic carbon-carbon bond formation building on reductive coupling is a powerful method for the preparation of organic compounds. The identification of environmentally benign reductants is key for establishing an efficient reductive coupling reaction. Herein an efficient strategy enabling H2 as the sole reductant for the palladium-catalyzed allyl-allyl reductive coupling reaction is described. A wide range of allylamines and allylic alcohols as well as allylic ethers proceed smoothly to deliver the C-C coupling products under 1 atm of H2. Kinetic studies suggested that the dinuclear palladium species was involved in the catalytic cycle.