A novel and efficient procedure for the preparation of allylic alcohols from α,β-unsaturated carboxylic esters using LiAlH4/BnCl

A new and efficient method for the reduction of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic esters to allylic alcohols utilizing LiAlH4/BnCl is described. Various α,β-unsaturated esters, including the coumarins bearing α,β-unsaturated lactone skeleton, can be converted smoothly into their corresponding allylic alcohols in high yields under mild conditions with short reaction times.