Yb(OTf)3 catalyzed highly regioselective allylation of aromatic epoxides: an efficient route to bishomoallyl alcohols

Anhydrous ytterbium(III) triflate-catalyzed ring opening of aromatic 1,2-epoxides with allyltributyltin in THF results in the formation of bishomoallyl alcohols in excellent yields and with complete regioselectivity. The results are compared with those obtained with allylmagnesium bromide as allylating agent.