Abstract Rate constants directly measured from GC-analyzed method for SmI 2 reduction of alkyl halides were obtained. The rates increase in the orders of primary, secondary, tertiary RX and RCl< RBr< RI as expected. 2-Heptanone was chosen as the partner of alkyl halide in the samarium Barbier reaction. In the absence of HMPA, the reaction orders of alkyl halide and ketone were determined as first and zero order, respectively.
