Generation and reactivity of allylic and benzylic samarium compounds using diiodosamarium in tetrahydropyran

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)01506-2

Diiodosomarium prepared in THP reduces allylic iodides and bromides at 0 or -15°C to give organosamarium compounds which ore stable under these conditions. These allylic samarium compounds react with many functionalities including the keto group of keto esters. Benzylic samarium compounds were prepared similarly from benzylic bromides.