Solvent dependent reductive defluorination of aliphatic C–F bonds employing Sm(HMDS)2

Sm(HMDS)2 in n-hexane mediates fast cleavage of primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl fluorides in good to excellent yields. In n-hexane Sm(HMDS)2 exhibits uniquely enhanced reductive ability towards the C–F bond compared to when using THF as solvent.