Mild and efficient barbier allylation reaction mediated by magnesium powder under solvent-free conditions

A novel and highly efficient synthesis of homoallylic alcohols is achieved by the allylation of carbonyl compounds using magnesium powder as mediator under solvent-free conditions. A series of aldehydes and ketones are converted to the corresponding homoallylic alcohols, the yields of the reaction is considerably high (85-98%). The procedure is environment benign, operationally simple and easy to scale up at room temperature. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.