The anti-Markovnikov addition selectivity to aldehyde can be achieved through exploiting inherent stereoelectronics of the substrate. Placement of directing group at homo-allylic (i.e. Figure 3, A) and allylic position (i.e. Figure 3, B) to the terminal olefin favors the anti-Markovnikov aldehyde product, which suggests that in the catalytic cycle the directing group chelates to the palladium complex such that water attacks at the anti-Markovnikov carbon to generate the more thermodynamically stable palladacycle. Anti-Markovnikov selectivity is also observed in styrenyl substrates (i.e. Figure 3, C), presumably via η-palladium-styrene complex after water attacks anti-Markovnikov. More examples of substrate-controlled, anti-Markovnikov Tsuji-Wacker Oxidation of olefins are given in reviews by Namboothiri, Feringa, and Muzart.
Grubbs and co-workers paved way for anti-Markovnikov oxidation of stereoelectronically unbiased terminal olefins, through the use of palladium-nitrite system (Figure 2, D). In his system, the terminal olefin was oxidized to the aldehyde with high selectivity through a catalyst-control pathway. The mechanism is under investigation, however evidence suggests it goes through a nitrite radical adds into the terminal carbon to generate the more thermodynamically stable, secondary radical. Grubbs expanded this methodology to more complex, unbiased olefins.