Synthesis of Cyclic Enones by Allyl-Palladium-Catalyzed α,β-Dehydrogenation.

The use of allyl-palladium catalysis for the one-step α,β-dehydrogenation of ketones via their zinc enolates is reported. The optimized protocol utilizes commercially available Zn(TMP)2 as base and diethyl allyl phosphate as oxidant. Notably, this transformation operates under salt-free conditions and tolerates a diverse scope of cycloalkanones.