N-Iodosuccinimide and dioxygen in an air-enabled synthesis of 10-phenanthrenols under sunlight

Abstract

Using a catalytic amount of N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) in combination with O₂ in air, an aerobic oxidative reaction was carried out to efficiently and scalably construct a series of 10-phenanthrenols under sunlight at room temperature. Mechanistic studies reveal that H₂O₂ generated in situ was responsible for the conversion of I₂ to IOH as a potential initiator for later catalytic cycle.