A novel two-step aldehyde homologation procedure for the preparation of methyl ketones has been developed, which involves the use of 1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes as precursors and zinc metal as mediator in near-critical water.

A novel metallic samarium promoted reduction of sodium alkyl thiosulfates in the absence of an activating agent occurs to afford the corresponding disulfides with good yields in water at 90℃.

A microwave-enhanced, solventless Sonogashira coupling reaction has been developed. Terminal alkynes couple with aryl or alkenyl iodide on palladium-doped alumina in the presence of triphenylphosphine and cuprous iodide to provide high yields of products.

The reductive coupling cyclization of 1, 1-dicyanoalkenes was performed with metallic samarium in saturated aqueous NH4C1-THF solution at room temperature. Sub-stoichiometric quantities of samarium could be employed and trans-isomer was the major product.

In saturated NH4CI (aq.)-THF solution at room temperature, metallic samaritan promoted reductive dimerization cyclization of gem-diactivated alkenes, reductive debromination of vic-dibromides, and reduction of sodium alkyl thiosulfates occur to afford corresponding functionalized cyciopentenes, (E)-alkenes, and disulfides. respectively in good yield. Only sub-stoichiometric quantities of samarium are employed in the former reactions and the trans-or trans, trans-form isomer is the majority product of the polysubstituted cyclopentene products.