Diacetates 1 and N-[(1-benzotriazol-l-yl)alkyl]amides 2, both masked forms of aldehydes, could undergo deprotection and condensation with cycloalkanones in a one-pot procedure promoted by samarium(III) iodide (SmI3) to afford α,α’-bis(substituted benzylidene) cycloalkanones in good yields. Both of the masked forms of aldehydes, could undergo deprotection and condensation with cycloalkanones in a one-pot procedure promoted by samarium (III) iodide (SmI3) to afford α, α’-bis (substituted benzylidene) cycloalkanones in good yields.