Synthesis and isolation of iodocarbazoles. Direct iodination reaction of N‐substituted carbazoles

Iododerivatives of N‐methylcarbazole ( 1 ), N‐phenylcarbazole ( 2 ), N‐benzylcarbazole ( 3 ), 2‐methoxy‐N‐methylcarbazole ( 4 ) and 3‐acetamido‐N‐ethylcarbazole ( 5 ) are synthesised. N‐Iodosuccinimide (NIS) in tetrahydrofurane/H₂SO₄ (catalyst), a mixture of KIO₃ ‐ KI ‐ H₂SO₄ (catalyst) in ethanol and a mixture of KIO₃ ‐ KI in glacial AcOH as iodinating agents have been used and their uses have been compared. The preparation, isolation and characterization of compounds 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 4c and 5a are reported (mp, t_R, R_f, ¹H‐nmr, ¹³C‐nmr, IR and ms). All of them are described for the first time except 3,6‐diiodo‐N‐phenyl‐carbazole ( 2b ). Semiempirical PM3 calculations have been performed to predict reactivity of N‐substituted carbazoles and their iododerivatives. Theoretical and experimental results are discussed briefly.