4-Vinyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one (VEC) is a cyclic carbonate, that can be synthesized from acrolein by reacting with sulfur ylide and CO2. The ruthenium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation (TH) of VEC in the presence of 2-propanol forms 1,2-butanediol. Indolines and indoles undergo selective C-H allylation with VEC in the presence of rhodium(III) catalyst.