Ready access to organoiodides: Practical hydroiodination and double-iodination of carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds with I2

By using I₂ or I₂/H₃PO₃ system, various alkenes and alkynes were converted to the corresponding alkyl and alkenyl iodides in good yields. In the presence of I₂, alkynes could be di-iodinated using H₂O as the solvent in air at room temperature. This method also features the simple work-up procedure since the pure product could be obtained by extraction. Additionally, for the first time, combining with the non-toxic and cheap phosphonic acid H₃PO₃, alkenes and alkynes were also hydroiodinated successfully, which provides a simple and practical approach for synthesis of organoiodides.