A new route to 2-C- and 4-C-branched sugars by palladium–indium bromide-mediated carbonyl allylation

Palladium-catalysed carbonyl allylations can be effectively applied to the regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of 2-C- and 4-C-branched sugars from allylic esters or carbonates via the formation of π-allylpalladium(II) intermediates and their reductive transmetalation with indium(I) bromide.