The allylic nucleophilic substitution of Morita-Baylis-Hillman acetates with isocyanides: a facile synthesis of trisubstituted olefins

Morita-Baylis-Hillman acetates undergo smooth allylic nucleophilic substitution (SN2′) with tosylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) in the presence of a catalytic amount of BF3·OEt2 under mild conditions to furnish trisubstituted olefins in high yields with (E)-stereoselectivity.