A New Entry for the Preparation of Substituted Aromatic Carbonyl Compounds Mediated by Samarium(II) Iodide

Abstract

A new route to substituted aromatic lactones and lactams via SmI₂-promoted desulfurization is described. Direct replacement of the phenylthio substituent by hydroxyalkylated groups featuring the novel accessible process for the construction of continuous quaternary carbon centers could be accomplished when the same type of reactions was undertaken with carbonyl compounds in the presence of SmI₂.

Keywords:

• Aromatic lactone
• Aromatic lactam
• Desulfurization
• Samarium(II) iodide
• Reductive coupling

Acknowledgments

This work was partially supported by a Grant-in Aid (No. 13640530) from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan.