Photocatalytic Oxidative Iodination of Electron‐Rich Arenes

Abstract

AbstractA visible‐light‐mediated oxidative iodination of electron‐rich arenes has been developed. 2.5 mol% of unsubstituted anthraquinone as photocatalyst were used in combination with elementary iodine, trifluoroacetic acid and oxygen as the terminal oxidant. The iodination proceeds upon irradiation in non‐ or weakly‐electron donating solvents (DCM, DCE and benzene) wherein a spectral window in strongly coloured iodine solutions can be observed at around 400 nm. The method provides good to excellent yields (up to 98%) and shows excellent regioselectivity and good functional group tolerance (triple bonds, ketone, ester, amide). Moreover, the photo‐iodination was also upscaled to a 5 mmol scale (1.1 g). Mechanistic investigations by intermediate trapping and competition experiments indicate a photocatalytic arene oxidation and the subsequent reaction with iodine as a likely mechanistic pathway.magnified image