Samarium(II) Iodide-Promoted Intermolecular and Intramolecular Ketone-Nitrile Reductive Coupling Reactions

Abstract

Samarium(II) iodide, a strong one-electron transfer reducing reagent, has been successfully utilized for the intermolecular and intramolecular reductive coupling reactions of ketones with nitriles. α-Hydroxy ketones, monocyclic, fused bicyclic α-hydroxy ketones and monocyclic α-amino alcohols composed of a number of substitution patterns have been prepared in good yields at room temperature or reflux under neutral conditions. The procedure can avoid overreduction of the resulting of α-hydroxy ketones or α-amino alcohols. The crystal structures of monocyclic α-amino alcohols are reported.