10.1016/S0040-4020(01)89414-X (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0040%2D4020%2801%2989414%2DX)
they use the reaction to synthesize a derivative of isosafrole, and in the articles below they prepare other phenylpropenes (Entry 13, Table 5, Ref 5), so I see no immediate obstacle to it. And who's the originator of this synthesis? Our old ally George W. Kabalka...Eur. J. Org. Chem. 1631-1634(2003) (https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/phenyl-2-alkenes.aldol-grob-1.pdf)
(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/phenyl-2-alkenes.aldol-grob-1.pdf)Tetrahedron 54, 15525-15532 (1998) (https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/phenyl-2-alkenes.aldol-grob-2.pdf)
(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/phenyl-2-alkenes.aldol-grob-2.pdf)J. Org. Chem. 63, 6438-6439 (1998) (https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/phenyl-2-alkenes.aldol-grob-3.pdf)
(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/phenyl-2-alkenes.aldol-grob-3.pdf)Phytochemistry 39, 731 (1995) (https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/phenyl-2-alkenes.aldol-grob-4.pdf)
(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/phenyl-2-alkenes.aldol-grob-4.pdf)J. Org. Chem. 64, 3157-3161 (1999) (https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/phenyl-2-alkenes.aldol-grob-5.pdf)
(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/phenyl-2-alkenes.aldol-grob-5.pdf)Tetrahedron Letters 44 (2003) 3579-3580 (https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/benzaldehyde2cinnamate.nabh4-cat.pdf)
(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/benzaldehyde2cinnamate.nabh4-cat.pdf)10.1016/S0040-4039(03)00529-X (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0040%2D4039%2803%2900529%2DX)
MEK is everywhere and cheap as dirt.
Yeah, but piperonal isn't.