Hypoiodous acid-catalyzed regioselective geminal addition of methanol to vinylarenes: synthesis of anti-Markovnikov methyl acetals

Abstract

A novel metal-free, catalytic geminal dimethoxylation of vinylarenes based on in situ generated HOI species from iodide salt and oxone is reported. The preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest that the key factor for achieving the anti-Markovnikov regioselectivity is the semipinacol rearrangement of an iodo functionalized intermediate, which is confirmed by an isotope labeling experiment. In addition, the reaction involves the de-iodination of a co-iodo intermediate via its oxidation to hypervalent iodine species rather than a common iodide abstraction by electrophiles. The HRESI-MS studies support the conversion of monovalent iodine containing intermediates to trivalent iodine intermediates during the catalytic conversion of aromatic alkenes into the corresponding terminal acetals.