Studies towards total synthesis of antillatoxin: Indium-mediated allylation reaction of carbonyl compounds with secondary allylic bromide in aqueos media

We have established a new reaction condition for the indium-mediated allylation of an unreactive secondary allylic bromide with aldehydes in aqueous media to afford the corresponding homoallylic alcohols in high yields and syn diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, it has provided an easy entry to the key intermediate for the total synthesis of antillatoxin under mild and environment profitable conditions.