Ter-pyridine catalyzed allylation of aldehydes and ketones under metal-free condition

New ter-pyridine derivatives were used as potential catalysts for homoallylation of carbonyl groups. Moderate to high yields of the products with short reaction times of ∼2 h were observed in several cases without the need of metal salts as additives or co-catalysts. However, no reaction was observed in the absence of the catalyst, even when the reaction is heated upto 50 °C. It was also noticed that the presence of polar groups not only resulted in faster reactions but also showed some extent of stereo-control in a few cases.