Copper‐Catalyzed Homocoupling of Alkyl Halides in the Presence of Samarium

Abstract

AbstractBy virtue of the reductive coupling reactivity of samarium, cuprous chloride can effectively catalyze the homocoupling of alkylhalides, including the Csp3‐Csp3 coupling of benzyl halides and the Csp2‐Csp2 coupling of aryl halides. Under mild conditions, the homocoupling reactions of benzyl halides proceeded with excellent yields, while aryl halides and heteroaryl halides formed the coupling products in moderate yields. Only 10 mol% cuprous chloride was enough to catalyze the reaction and potassium iodide proved to be necessary. The mechanism of the catalytic process was also discussed.