The alkyl halide-HMPA complex formed in a pre-equilibrium step is reduced by Sm/HMPA to form the radical in the rate determining step. The radical undergoes further reduction to form an organosamarium species which couples with the carbonyl and upon protonation yields the final product. In the case of Ni(II) additive, SmI 2 initially reduces Ni(II) to Ni(0) preferentially over reduction of either of the substrates. Based on kinetic and mechanistic studies the following mechanism was proposed