Photoinduced Reduction of gem-Dichlorocyclopropanes with SmI2 and Benzenethiol

Abstract Upon irradiation with visible light, gem-dichlorocyclopropanes undergo reductive dechlorination with samarium diiodide and benzenethiol to provide the corresponding cyclopropanes in good yields. The reaction may proceed via the hydrogen abstraction from PhSH by cyclopropyl radicals formed in situ by the reduction with SmI2.