Mechanistic studies on the roles of cosolvents and additives in samarium(II)-based reductions

This account describes work, performed by my research group during the past decade, designed to understand the mechanistic roles of cosolvents and additives in reductions involving samarium(II) iodide (SmI2). Emphasis is placed on studies designed to elucidate the roles of the cosolvent hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) and proton donors (water, alcohols, and glycols) in the mechanisms of important bond-forming reactions and reductions initiated by SmI2. 1. Background and Introduction 1.1 Project Inception 2 Mechanistic Studies on the Role of Hexamethyl phosphoramide in the Reactions of Samarium(II) Iodide 3 Impact of Proton Donors on the Mechanism of Substrate Reduction 4 Conclusions and Future Work.