title: Electron transfer reduction of unactivated esters using SmI2-H2O.
abstract: The reduction of unactivated esters using samarium diiodide is reported for the first time. The optimised protocol allows for the reduction of primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl esters in excellent yields and is competitive with reductions mediated by metal hydrides and alkali metals.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szostak
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spain
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Procter
mesh_terms: D004579:Electron Transport; D004952:Esters; D007454:Iodides / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D008672:Metals, Alkali / Q000737:chemistry; D012493:Samarium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004952:Esters; D007454:Iodides; D008672:Metals, Alkali; D014867:Water; D012493:Samarium; C409809:samarium diiodide