Samarium iodide—Lithium amide

Samarium(II) iodide-Lithium amide, Smlj-LiNFL. 

Synthesis of Alkenes by Reductive Elimination. The treatment of 2-halo-3-hydroxy esters and amides with samarium iodide leads to the corresponding di- or trisubstituted E)-a,p-unsaturated derivatives in high yields and diastereoselectivities (eqs 39 and 40). The precursors are readily accessible by condensation of the lithium enolate of a-haloesters or amides. If the substrate contains y,i5-unsaturation, the /3,y-unsaturated ester is generated in the process (eq 41). 

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