Catalytic direct-type substitution reaction of alpha-alkyl enolates: a Pd/Brønsted base-catalysed approach to the decarboxylative allylation of sulfonylimidates.

A mild and efficient process for the direct-type catalytic allylation of sulfonylimidates has been developed; this reaction represents the first example of Brønsted base-catalysed, in situ generation and use of alpha-alkyl enolates in substitution reactions; the success of this methodology stems from the tunable alpha-proton acidity and nucleophilicity of sulfonylimidates, which could be harnessed in the realization of a broader range of catalytic direct-type reactions using ester equivalents as nucleophiles.