A new reduction system by the combination of lanthanoid metals (Ln) and Lnl₂: Deoxygenative coupling of amides to <i>vic</i>‐diaminoalkenes

Abstract

Abstract Deoxygenative coupling of aromatic amides takes place successfully by the use of a mixed system comprising of ytterbium metal and ytterbium diiodide, providing the corresponding vic ‐diaminoalkenes in good yields. The same reaction does not take place if Yb metal or YbI 2 is used alone. These results suggest novel enhancement of reducing ability by the combination of ytterbium(0) and ytterbium(II) diiodide. The Yb/YbI 2 system is also effective for dethiolative coupling of thioamides, as sulfur analogues of amides. This paper also deals with reductive coupling of thioamides and selenoamides by using an Sm/SmI 2 mixed system.