Stereo- and regiospecific four-molecule reaction of aroyl chlorides with iso-pentylene: direct formation of (E)-β,γ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds promoted by samarium metal in DMF

Promoted by samarium metal in DMF, aroyl chlorides react readily with iso-pentylene in a four-molecule manner, which offers an efficient stereo- and regiospecific synthesis of (E)-β,γ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and also provides a facile method for the construction of monoterpene skeleton. The reaction is an additional example of organic reactions mediated by direct use of unactivated metallic samarium.