Atom economical coupling of benzophenone and N-heterocyclic aromatics with SmI2

Abstract

The use of stoechiometric SmI₂ in combination with benzophenone and N-heterocyclic aromatics such as bipyridine, phenanthroline and pyridine allows the direct ortho-coupling of both partners in an atom economical reaction free of any other coupling additives. The transformation was investigated by ¹H NMR, X-ray studies and theoretical calculations providing reaction intermediates and the reaction mechanism.