SmI2 as a Reagent in Polymer Chemistry

The unique reactivity of SmI2 due to its moderate reducing ability has been exploited over the last decade for the development of new polymerization reactions inaccessible by traditional methods. This article describes the recent evolution in polymer synthesis in which electron transfer processes mediated by SmI2 serve as key steps. The figure represents an example in which umpolung of a cationic into an anionic growing center is readily achieved by SmI2.