Alkaline-Earth Metal Catalyzed Dehydrative Allylic Alkylation.

An alkaline-earth metal catalytic system for environmentally benign allylic alkylation was developed. Allylic alcohols can be utilized directly at room temperature in this transition-metal-free process, producing water as the only byproduct. A variety of allylic compounds, including the ones containing all-carbonyl quaternary centers, can be obtained with high yields.