2-Substituted naphthyl allyl alcohols were prepared with high regioselectivity and high yield catalyzed by palladium or nickel catalyst in the presence of triethylamine as base and phosphines (Ph₃P, DPPP, DPPE, DPPM and DPPB) as ligand in ionic liquid. The methodology has advantage of lower cost, simpler operation and wider diversity of raw material. The reaction medium system can be recycled and reused. The reaction conditions were discussed and the product structure was characterized by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR, IR, MS spectra and elemental analysis.

Key words: ionic liquid, palladium or nickel catalyst, substituted naphthyl allyl alcohol, synthesis, Heck reaction