This review deals with rare earth-mediated synthetic organic reactions investigated by the authors. The scope of the rare earth-mediated reactions are discussed under the following topics: (i) synthesis via Yb metal umpoled diaryl ketones and imines; (ii) Yb or LnCl3/Zn promoted cyclodimerization of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds; (iii) SmI2 promoted coupling of isocyanates and desulfurization of isothiocyanates; (iv) Yb or Sm alkoxide-mediated stereoselective aldol condensations.