Catalytic allylic functionalization via π-allyl palladium chemistry

This review highlights the developments in palladium-catalyzed allylic C-H functionalization from early 2014 to the present date. π-Allylpalladium chemistry emphasizes the research originating from less appealing stoichiometric Pd(ii) based allylic C-H activation to the present day green, step- and atom-economical and sustainable strategy, wherein the allylic hydrogen atom becomes the "leaving group". This constitutes a direct C-H activation method, which is essentially catalytic in the presence of a terminal oxidant to regenerate the Pd(ii)-species from Pd(0). The availability of chiral ligands, under oxidative conditions, has paved the way to realize asymmetric oxidative Tsuji-Trost allylic alkylations.