A tandem allylic alcohol isomerization–aldol condensation catalyzed by Rh and Ru complexes

Allylic alcohols react with aldehydes, in an atom economy aldol-type reaction, in the presence of catalytic amounts of various rhodium and ruthenium complexes. This reaction occurs with total regiocontrol under mild conditions, but varying amounts of ketone derived from the competing isomerization reaction are also observed.