A novel coupling reaction of α-halo ketones promoted by SmI3/CuI

Abstract

With SmI₃ as the Lewis acid and catalyzed by CuI in DMF, α-haloketones were transformed unexpectedly into α-hydroxy-1,4-diketones in good to moderate yields. The mechanism was probed and a plausible reaction pathway was proposed. DMF was assumed to play a dual role both as a hydroxyl source and as a solvent.