Samarium-Promoted Homocoupling of Benzaldehydes and In Situ Condensation with Esters Under the Catalysis of Cuprous Iodide

A novel C-H functionalization method was successfully ex-plored by a reductive three molecule coupling of benzaldehydes and es-ters mediated by samarium and cuprous iodide; thus, the diarylmetha-nol skeletons were afforded readily via an in situ esterification in one -pot. Substrates including a variety of esters and different benzaldehydes were investigated, and the desired products were readily obtained in moderate to good yields under mild conditions.

Automated summary

A novel C-H functionalization method was developed for synthesizing diarylmethanol skeletons via a reductive three molecule coupling of benzaldehydes and esters mediated by samarium and cuprous iodide. The desired products were obtained in moderate to good yields under mild conditions, using a variety of esters and different benzaldehydes as substrates.