Conversion of Aryl Aldehydes to Benzyl Iodides and Diarylmethanes by H₃PO₃/I₂

Fang Lv, Jing Xiao*, Junchun Xiang, Fengzhe Guo, Zi-Long Tang and Li-Biao Han*

*Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China; AIST, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan, Email: XiaoJinghnust.edu.cn, libiao-hanaist.go.jp

F. Lv, J. Xiao, J. Xiang, F. Guo, Z.-L. Tang, L.-B. Han, J. Org. Chem., 2021, 86, 3081-3088.

DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.0c02850

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Abstract

The use of H₃PO₃/I₂ enables a reductive iodination of various aromatic aldehydes to produce benzyl iodides. The benzyl iodides can be converted into diarylmethanes or cyclic compounds in good yields via in situ Friedel-Crafts type reactions.

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proposed mechanism

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Key Words

benzyl iodides, Friedel-Crafts alkylation, hypophosphorous acid

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ID: J42-Y2021