SmI2-promoted cross coupling reaction of N-2-bromoethylphthalimide and carbonyl compounds: Synthesis of α-aryl-α′-hydroxy ketones

In this paper, we have disclosed the SmI2-mediated carbonyl-imide reductive cross coupling between N-2-bromoethylphthalimide and different aldehydes and ketones in the presence of anhydrous catalytic NiI2. This methodology provided an effective tool to prepare α-aryl-α′-hydroxy ketones under mild conditions which can be applied to various functionalized, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes and ketones. [Display omitted]