Palladium(0)-catalyzed alkylation of various allylic acetates and carbonates by potassium thioacetate allowed an easy access to allylic thioacetates in rather good yields. The reaction was regioselective with substitution at the less hindered side of the intermediate pi-allyl system, and diastereoselective with net retention of configuration. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.