Sequenced elimination–reduction and elimination–cyclopropanation reactions of 2,3-epoxyamides promoted by samarium diiodide. Synthesis of 2,3-dideuterioamides and cyclopropanamides

An easy and general sequenced elimination/reduction or elimination/cyclopropanation process promoted by samarium diiodide or/and CH2I2/Sm provide an efficient method for synthesising 2,3-dideuterioamides or cyclopropanamides , respectively. The transformations take place in high yields and with total or high selectivity from the easily available 2,3-epoxyamides.