Rhodium-Catalyzed β-Acylalkylation of Allylbenzene Derivatives with Allyl Alcohols via C-C Bond Cleavage.

We report here a deallylative β-acylalkylation reaction of allylbenzene derivatives with allyl alcohols in the presence of Cp*Rh catalysts. Allylbenzenes possessing pyridyl and pyrazolyl directing groups were converted to β-aryl ketones via the cleavage of C(aryl)-C(allyl) bonds. Synthesis of a quinoline derivative from a β-aryl ketone product bearing a pyrazolyl group was also achieved.