Allylic alkyl carbonates are carbonylated under 40 atm of carbon monoxide at 100-120" C in the presence of a catalytic amount of Ru3 (C0) 12/1, 1O-phenanthroline to give a,@-or P, y- unsaturated esters in good to high yields. For example, cinnamyl methyl carbonate afforded the corresponding P, y-unsaturated esters, methyl trans-4-phenyl-3-butenoate (1) in 93% yield. The regioselectivity in the carbonylation of crotyl methyl carbonate is unusual and it ...