Vinyl sulfone, Julia-Lythgoe olefination

Samarium iodide can also be used as an alternative to sodium/ mercury amalgam for the reductive elimination of 1,2-acetoxy-sulfones in the Julia-Lythgoe olefination. The alkene is generated in a two-step process that first involves DBU or LDA treatment to generate a vinyl sulfone that is then reductively cleaved with samarium iodide (eq 44). The diastereoselectivity of both transformations is usually quite good and the method is compatible with the synthesis of monoalkenes as well as dienes and trienes. 

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