Bimetallic Catalysis: Palladium/Lanthanide co-Catalyzed Allylation of Anilines

The direct palladium catalyzed N-allylation of anilines by underivatized allyl alcohols can be achieved using lanthanide co-catalysis. The reaction works equally well with different lanthanides. Surprisingly, lanthanum acetate and lanthanum chloride can give yields comparable to or better than those obtained using lanthanum triflate. Electron-rich, unhindered anilines are the best substrates, although an aminopyridine and benzimidazole are both also efficiently allylated.