Samarium iodide mediated methylation: an alternative to grignard labeling

Samarium iodide in THF/HMPA has been used to methylate various aldehydes and ketones in moderate to good yield. Reaction is complete within two minutes. Labeling using methyl-[14C] iodide has been successful and is thus an alternative to labeling via a methyl Grignard derived from methyl-[14C] iodide. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.