The regioselective palladium-catalyzed formate reduction ofallylic acetates in five- to eight-membered heterocycles isreported. Reduction of allylic acetates under mild conditionsusing allylpalladium chloride dimer, phosphines, and formicacid/triethylamine in DMF gives the exo-cyclic olefins ingood regioselectivities and high yields. Synthetic applicationin preparing N-tosyl-3-oxo-piperidine is also reported.