6 ) 2 is shown to be an excellent and rapid catalyst for the C-allylation of indole compounds using allyl alcohols as substrates. Selective, one-pot N,C-double allylation is also possible. Preliminary experiments suggest that vinyl epoxides may be used as an allyl source. Stoichiometric reactions of CH 2 dCHCH(OH)CHdCH 2 , CH 2 dCHCH(OAc)CHdCH 2 , and CH 2 dCHCHdCHCH 2 Br with [Ru(Cp*)(CH 3 CN) 3 ](PF 6 ) afford new Ru(IV) η 3 -vinyl-allyl salts, two of which, [Ru(Cp*)(κ 2 -OAc)(η 3 -vinyl-allyl)](PF 6 ) (13) and [Ru(Cp*)Br(η 3 -vinyl-allyl)(CH 3 CN)](PF 6 ) (14), have been studied by X-ray diffraction methods. In addition to the Ru(IV) η 3 -vinyl-allyl bonding mode, we also find an isomer of the bromo salt 14 possessing a dynamic Ru(IV) S (rather than U)-shaped η 5 -pentadienyl moiety, 20. DFT computational results for 20 indicate that the S-shaped rather than the U-shaped form is the most stable Ru(IV) species and that the stability difference between these two forms is mainly due to interligand repulsion between the Br and pentadienyl ligands.