Selectivity and reactivity in asymmetric allylic alkylation

2-(1-Hydroxyalkyl)-6-oxazolyl-and 2-(1-alkoxyalkyl)-6-oxazolylpyridines ser ve as versatile ligands in the palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution of rac-1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate as nucleophile. The enantioselectivity of the reaction is dependent on the conformation of the ligands, as deduced by NMR, X-ray crystallography and DFT calculations of palladium(II) complexes of the ligands. The reactions are slow, requirin g up to four days reaction time. However, with the use of microwave flash h eating, reaction times are reduced to 2 min, with only minor loss in stereo selectivity.