Regioselective Reductive Coupling of Alkynes and Aldehydes Leading to Allylic Alcohols

Abstract

Treatment of a mixture of a terminal alkyne and an aldehyde with CrCl(2) and a catalytic amount of NiCl(2) and triphenylphosphine in the presence of water in DMF at 25 degrees C gives a 1,2-disubstituted allylic alcohol regioselectively.