Gold-Catalyzed Allylation Reactions

The allylation reaction is a well-established and indispensable tool for the development of chemical complexity and diversity in organic synthesis. Over several decades, this unique transfor- mation has undergone several developments to establish a more simple, selective, and sustainable variant. Moving from stoichiometric amounts of metal additives to sub-stoichiomet- ric amounts, and more recently to catalytic loadings is only one of the chemical revolutions faced by the allylation reac- tion. In this context, homogeneous gold catalysis has played a pivotal role, resulting in unexpected reaction pathways, con- cerning unactivated unsaturated hydrocarbons, feasible. Among them, [AuI]- and [AuIII]-assisted allylation reactions de- serve particular mention owing to their impact in the synthesis of key organic building blocks and value-added compounds. An unprecedented survey across the development of allylation methodologies based on this coinage metal is documented in the present Minireview