The influence of ligands on the palladium catalyzed reaction of allylic-1,1-diol diacetate RCH:CHCH(OAc)2 (I, R = H, Me, Ph) with di-Me sodiomalonate anion was studied. When PPh3 was used as the ligand, the malonate anion was found to attack the carbonyl carbon atom, but it would attack the allylic carbon atom while 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane was used as the ligand. The properties of nucleophiles also influence the position of attack. By suitable choice of the nucleophiles and ligands, dialkylated products can be obtained from I.

Key words: ACETIC ACID ESTER, CATALYSIS, CARBOXYLIC ACID ESTER, ALCOHOL, TRIPHENYLPHOSPHINE, MALONIC ACID P, NUCLEOPHILIC REACTION, CHEMICAL REAGENT, PALLADIUM COMPLEX, ALLYL GROUP