Selective carboxylation of reactive benzylic C-H bonds by a hypervalent iodine(III)/inorganic bromide oxidation system

α-Acyloxylation of Ketones/Cyclic Ethers Mediated by Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagents as Oxidants and Nucleophilic Sources

This study describes a catalyst-free α-acyloxylation of ketones and a KBr-mediated α-acyloxylation of cyclic ethers. These conversions are effectively mediated by hypervalent iodine(III) reagents serving dual roles as the oxidant and nucleophilic source. Consequently, esters are produced directly in moderate to excellent yields. The proposed method features good functional group compatibility, a broad substrate scope, and high synthetic efficiency and is remarkably environmentally friendly.

Applications of the DIB-BBr3 Protocol in Bromination Reactions

Non-symmetrical bromoiodanes are useful for bromination reactions, and some protocols were found to be suitable for specific substrates. Herein, we report the use of a DIB/BBr₃ protocol for various bromination reactions, including electrophilic bromination of arenes, carbonyl C-H monobromination, bromolactonization, bromocarbocyclization, intermolecular bromoetherification of olefin, and light-triggered C(sp³)-H bromination.

Application of a DIB/BBr3 protocol in metal-free aryl coupling reactions

Efficient and metal-free cross-coupling of arenes has been developed. Inexpensive hypervalent iodine reagents (HIRs) diacetoxyl iodobenzene and BBr3 were used to in situ generate a non-symmetrical HIR as the active species.

(Diacetoxyiodo)benzene-Mediated C-H Oxidation of Benzylic Acetals

A useful oxidation of C-H bond of benzylic acetals has been achieved. This method avoids the use of stoichiometric metals and is compatible with the presence of both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents on the aromatic ring. Oxidation was carried out by rapid microwave irradiation of benzylic acetals with PhI(OAc)₂ as the oxidant. This led to the oxidation of acetals into 2-acetoxy-1,3-dioxolanes. Furthermore, this transformation protocol encompasses a wide range of valuable conversions of these useful synthons into different carboxylic acid derivatives.

Selective benzylic C-H monooxygenation mediated by iodine oxides

A method for the selective monooxdiation of secondary benzylic C–H bonds is described using an N-oxyl catalyst and a hypervalent iodine species as a terminal oxidant. Combinations of ammonium iodate and catalytic N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) were shown to be effective in the selective oxidation of n-butylbenzene directly to 1-phenylbutyl acetate in high yield (86%). This method shows moderate substrate tolerance in the oxygenation of substrates containing secondary benzylic C–H bonds, yielding the corresponding benzylic acetates in good to moderate yield. Tertiary benzylic C–H bonds were shown to be unreactive under similar conditions, despite the weaker C–H bond. A preliminary mechanistic analysis suggests that this NHPI-iodate system is functioning by a radical-based mechanism where iodine generated in situ captures formed benzylic radicals. The benzylic iodide intermediate then solvolyzes to yield the product ester.