Synlett 2004(3): 445-448  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-815408
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Direct Formation of Benzoins from Diarylmethanones via a Rearrangement Reaction Promoted by Samarium Metal in DMF

Yongjun Liua, Xiaoliang Xua, Yongmin Zhang*a,b
a Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Xi-xi Campus, Hangzhou, 310028, P. R. China
b State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, P. R. China
Fax: +86(571)88807077; e-Mail: yminzhang@mail.hz.zj.cn;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 13 November 2003
Publication Date:
12 January 2004 (online)

Abstract

Diarylmethanones react readily with DMF when promoted by samarium metal in DMF with TMSCl or iodine as an ­activator, to afford benzoins in good to excellent yields via rearrangement of aryl groups. As for asymmetric diarylmethanones, products resulting from the migration of either aryl group were obtained, where the migration of aryl groups shows certain priority.