Nitrodisulfides were reduced by SmI2/HMPA in anhydrous THF at room temperature to produce active intermediates (samarium thiolates and amides), which were 'living' double-anions and reacted smoothly with aldehydes or ketones to afford benzothiazolines in good yields under mild and neutral conditions.
The reduction of elemental selenium by samarium diiodide led to selective formation of selenolate anion species (Se-2(2-) and Se2-), these nucleophilic species reacted readily with sodium alkyl thiosulfates to afford dithiodiselenides and dithioselenides in moderate to good yield under mild conditions.
o-Nitrophenylazide was reduced by SmI2 in anhydrous THF at room temperature to produce active intermediate 2 (samarium amide), "living" double-anion in situ which reacted smoothly with α，β-unsaturated ketones to afford 2,3-dihydro-1H-1,5-benzodiazepines in good yields under mild and neutral conditions.
