SmI2-mediated couplings between a variety of organic halides and cyclic imi
des have been performed giving either hydroxylactams from N-methylsuccinimi
de and N-methylphthalimide or delta -ketoamides from N-methylglutarimide. I
n the latter case, ring opening occurs during hydrolysis. Couplings of imid
es with alkyl halides require a catalytic amount of NiI2. (C) 2001 Elsevier
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