Facile synthesis of β-ketoesters mediated by Sml2: Reformatsky reaction type selfcondensation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(95)00127-X

α-Bromoesters are converted to β-ketoesters by treatment with samarium diiodide via self condensation under the mild conditions. The reaction appears to be initiated via the formation of samariun diiodide ester enolate for the Reformatsky reation type.