Allylic alkylation versus Michael induced ring closure: chelated enolates as versatile nucleophiles

Allylic carbonates 8 bearing an electron-withdrawing ester functionality can act as substrates for palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations or as Michael acceptors with the option to undergo subsequent ring closure. Chelated amino acid ester enolates 1' are versatile nucleophiles for both reactions giving high yields and selectivites.