Cyclic Haloiodanes: Syntheses,Applications and Fundamental Studies

Hypervalent iodine reagents are powerful tools in contemporary organic synthesis. They have found numerous applications in modern oxidative transformations. The unique reactivity of hypervalent iodine allows access to unconventional electrophilic synthons. For example, electrophilic halogenation chemistry has been greatly expanded by the study of various haloiodanes. Cyclic λ³-haloiodanes are versatile reagents which can promote reactions such as halogenations, halocyclizations and oxidations. Their peculiar reactivity sets them apart from traditional sources of electrophilic halogens. Furthermore, they offer a broad range of reactivities which have been exploited in more diversified transformations. This review summarizes the different syntheses and derivatives of these cyclic haloiodanes, their applications and mechanistic insights as well as the relevant computational, structural and kinetic studies.