From allylic alcohols to aldols via a novel, tandem isomerization–condensation catalyzed by Fe(CO)5

Allylic alcohols react with aldehydes, in the presence of catalytic amounts of Fe(CO)5 and under irradiation, to give mainly aldol products. A small amount of ketone resulting from the classical isomerization process is also isolated. This new aldol-type reaction is a complete atom economy process occurring under neutral conditions.