Facile pinacol coupling of aliphatic ketones by Brook rearrangement in the presence of samarium species

Abstract

Herein we report a practical pinacol coupling reaction, in which ketones (aldehydes) react smoothly with Sm and TMSBr to afford the diol products with Sm(II) or (III) siliyl species generated in situ. This reported method affords poor yields for aromatic ketone substrates and good yields for aliphatic ketones. Therefore, it distinguishes from most reductive coupling approaches that are more effective for aromatic carbonyl compounds and provides a facile and robust approach for the pinacol coupling of aliphatic ketones. Mechanistic studies also indicated the pinacolization probably proceeded via an anionic instead of radical coupling pathway involving the Brook rearrangement in the presence of samarium (II or III) silyl species.