Abstract: A method of performing a chemical reaction includes reacting an allyl donor and a substrate in a reaction mixture, and forming a homoallylic alcohol in the reaction mixture. The substrate may be an aldehyde or a hemiacetal. The reaction mixture includes a ruthenium catalyst, carbon monoxide at a level of at least 1 equivalent relative to the substrate, and water at a level of at least 1 equivalent relative to the substrate, and an amine at a level of from 0 to 0.5 equivalent relative to the substrate. The reaction mixture may also include a halide, and the equivalents of the amine may be similar to those of the halide. The reacting includes maintaining the reaction mixture at a temperature of at least 40° C. The method may be catalytic in metal, environmentally benign, amenable to large-scale applications, and applicable to a wide range of substrates.