A Facile Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydroxyketones from 1,2-Diketones and Aldehydes Using Samarium Diiodide

Abstract
In the presence of samarium diiodide, 1,2-diketones react with aldehydes to afford the corresponding 2,3-dihydroxyketones in good yields with moderate diastereoselectivity. The reaction of unsymmetrical 1,2-diketones with aldehydes gives the products with high regioselectivities.