Samarium Diiodide/Samarium-Promoted Deoxygenative Dimerization of Unactivated Aldehydes and Ketones to Construct Internal Alkenes via C═O Bond Cleavage.

A samarium diiodide/samarium-promoted deoxygenative dimerization of unactivated aldehydes and ketones to construct alkenes under ligand-free and base-free conditions via C═O bond cleavage has been reported. Readily available unactivated aldehydes and ketones have been employed as substrates for preparing highly valuable internal alkenes. Wide substrate range and excellent functional group tolerance have been demonstrated to be a broad and robust method for the preparation of highly valuable alkenes.