Direct construction of quaternary carbon center utilizing an allylsamarium bromide reagent

Direct geminal diallylation of lactones, lactams and acyclic amides containing a N-H bond has been achieved in the presence of allylsamarium bromide. By applying this method, quaternary carbons have been constructed, and 2,2-diallylated cyclic ethers, 2,2-diallylated nitrogen heterocycles and diallylated amides were synthesized in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.