Samarium compounds syntheses

A novel synthesis (Evans et al. 1985b) of Cp2Sm(THF)2 has been devised by reacting Sml2 with KCp (1 2). When the stoichiometry of the reaction is 1 1 the iodine derivative [Cp Sm(p-l)(THF)2]2 is formed. The latter, with the reactive side of the halide ligand, is suitable for enlarging the series of novel samarium compounds, particularly alkyl complexes. 

Various methods may be considered for the synthesis of divalent ytterbium or samarium compounds. Some of them, such as metathetical reactions, have been widely used but others that until now include only a few examples seem to be very attractive, for example, electrochemical reductions. 

Other catalytic uses of rare-earth compounds have not reached the same development. Neodymium salts are, however, used for mbber manufacturing (22). Divalent samarium haHdes are employed in organic synthesis (23). 

While ytterbium(II) benzamidinate complexes have been known for many years/ the synthesis of the first divalent samarium bis(amidinate) required the use of a sterically hindered amidinate ligand, [HC(NDipp)2l (Dipp = C6H3Pr2-2,6)/ As illustrated in Scheme 54, the dark green compound Sm(DippForm)2(THF)2 (DippForm = [HC(NDipp)2] ) can be prepared by three different synthetic routes. Structural data indicated that hexacoordinated... 

Zard and coworkers have developed a synthesis of substituted dienes by reductive elimination of allylic nitroacetates (equation 33)66. Allylic nitroacetates can be prepared by condensation of nitromethane with the carbonyl compound followed by addition of formaldehyde and acetylation67. Reductive elimination can be carried out by employing either chromous acetate or samarium iodide. 

More recently, Doris et al. have described the reductive ring-opening of a-keto epoxides [16]. In this manner, p-hydroxy ketones can be obtained in high yields. The synthesis of enantiomerically pure compounds can easily be realized. The titanocene] 111) reagents are distinctly superior to samarium diiodide, which is also known to induce this transformation. 

The retrosynthetic approach to welwitindolinone A isonitrile (6) used by the Wood group is shown in Scheme 33. After recognition of the possibility of deriving the vinyl isonitrile fragment from a ketone, the disconnection of 6 to 140 was proposed. A literature report of a samarium (II) iodide-mediated reductive coupling of acrylates with isocyanates to give amides, which could be expected to lead to a new spirooxindole synthesis, prompted the disconnection of 140 to 141. This compound was to be obtained from the readily available cyclohexadiene derivative 143, by way of bicyclic ketone 142. 

Complexes of lapachol with diverse metals like copper (II), iron (II), iron (III), chromium (III), aluminium (IE), yttrium (El), samarium (IE), gadolinium (IE), and dysprosium (IE) have been investigated [141-144]. Direct electrochemical synthesis of some metal derivatives of lapachol have been carried out [145]. Several P-lapachone hydrazo compounds were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic techniques including X-ray analyses [146]. Selective aromatic reduction in pyranonaphthoquinones has also been reported [147-148]. 

The samarium-catalyzed reduction was utilized in the asymmetric synthesis of the marine macrolide bryostatin 2 (42) to furnish an intermediate (46)12 (Scheme 4.21). The ketone 43 underwent an aldol reaction with the ketoaldehyde 44 via the isopinylboryl enolate to give the aldol adduct 45 in good yield and 93 7 diastereoselectivity. Subsequent samarium-catalyzed Evans-Tishchenko reduction of the (3-hydroxy ketone 45 provided the p-nilrobenzoale 46 with excellent stereoselectivity. Silylation and saponification readily converted compound 46 into the alcohol 47 in 88% yield over two steps. 

Rare earth oxides are useful for partial oxidation of natural gas to ethane and ethylene. Samarium oxide doped with alkali metal halides is the most effective catalyst for producing predominantly ethylene. In syngas chemistry, addition of rare earths has proven to be useful to catalyst activity and selectivity. Formerly thorium oxide was used in the Fisher-Tropsch process. Recently ruthenium supported on rare earth oxides was found selective for lower olefin production. Also praseodymium-iron/alumina catalysts produce hydrocarbons in the middle distillate range. Further unusual catalytic properties have been found for lanthanide intermetallics like CeCo2, CeNi2, ThNis- Rare earth compounds (Ce, La) are effective promoters in alcohol synthesis, steam reforming of hydrocarbons, alcohol carbonylation and selective oxidation of olefins. 

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