Carbon-carbon double bond formation between α-haloketones and aldehydes promoted by samarium triiodide

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(93)88082-T

Reaction of α-haloketones with aldehydes in the presence of either SmI₃ or Sm/I₂ formed the carbon-carbon double bond to give α,β-unsaturated ketones in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. Samarium (III) enolates formed from the dehalogenation of α-haloketones by SmI₃ were assumed to be the reaction intermediates.