Refining boron–iodane exchange to access versatile arylation reagents

Abstract

Aryl(Mes)iodonium salts, which are multifaceted aryl transfer reagents, are synthesized via boron-iodane exchange. Modification to both the nucleophilic (aryl boron) and electrophilic (mesityl–λ³–iodane) reaction components results in improved yield and faster reaction time compared to previous conditions. Mechanistic studies reveal a pathway that is more like transmetallation than S_EAr.