The use of metallic samarium as a reducing agent in organic synthesis has recently attracted attention.5 This is due to the fact that metallic samarium is stable in air and has strong reducing power (Sm3+/Sm = 2.41V). It is also cheap and easy to handle. Recently, we have reported the reduction and the C-acetylation of BaylisHillman adducts as well as the acylation of alcohols with acyl chlorides promoted by metallic samarium.6 We now report a facile reductive ...
