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Synlett 2001; 2001(9): 1497-1498
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-16801
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Samarium Diiodide

Alexandra Hölemann*
  • *Institut für Chemie - Organische Chemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
28 August 2001 (online)

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First introduced in organic synthesis by Kagan and coworkers in the late 1970s, samarium diiodide (SmI2) has rapidly become a well-established reagent in preparative organic chemistry. This powerful and versatile one-electron transfer reductant is commercially available, but can also be conveniently prepared from samarium and diiodoethane or diiodomethane as a solution in THF. Its properties and reactivity can further be modified by addition of catalysts and by solvent additives. Samarium diiodide serves as a mild and selective reagent promoting a wide range of synthetically important transformations, such as reductions and reductive coupling reactions.