Three electrons from Sm (0) to Sm (III) can be available during the title reduction which was achieved in 90–95% yield with vic-dibromides such as trans-10, 11- dibromodibenzosuberone, meso-and dl-1, 2-dibromo-1, 2-diphenylethane, ethyl 2, 3- dibromo-3-phenylpropionate, 2, 3-dibromo-3-phenylpropionic acid, and cholesterol dibromide. These reductions were accelerated with a catalytic amount of acid.
