The Heck coupling of ArX (X = I, Br) with allylic alcohols, carried out at 80 - 120 degreesC in molten n-BU4NBr using NaHCO3 as base and PdCl2 as catalyst without extra ligands, leads to the corresponding beta -arylated carbonyl compounds. After extraction of the organic materials with diethyl ether, the ionic layer can be reused directly. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.