Divalent Lanthanide Derivatives in Organic Synthesis. 1. Mild Preparation of SmI2 and YbI2 and Their Use as Reducing or Coupling Agents

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00528a029

The facile synthesis of SmI2 and YbI2 from corresponding metals in THF is described.The reactivity of these potentially powerful reducing agents toward a variety functional groups is tested.Epoxides and sulfoxides are deoxygenated.Aldehydes are selectively reduced in presence of ketones.Alkyl halides or tosylates are converted into alkanes.Only coupling products are obtained from benzylic or allylic halides.In the presence of a SmI2-THF solution, tertiary alcohols are easily obtained from reactions between ketones and alkyl halides.In a similar manner, SmI2 promotes straightforward alkylation of ketones by alkyl sulfonates.Selective addition of polyfunctional halides or tosylates to ketones may be performed.In these reactions, catalytic amounts of FeCl3 enhance the reactivity.