Facile preparation of allylzinc species from allylboronates and zinc amide via a boron-to-zinc exchange process and their reactions with carbonyl compounds, imines and hydrazones.

Facile formation of allylzinc species from allylboronate and zinc amide was discovered. The boron-to-zinc exchange process occurred smoothly to afford the corresponding allylzinc amides, which were successfully employed in catalytic allylation reactions with electrophiles. Asymmetric catalysis using a chiral zinc amide is also reported.