Oxidative iodination of carbonyl compounds using ammonium iodide and oxone®

A simple, efficient, mild, and regioselective method for oxyiodination of carbonyl compounds has been reported by using NH₄I as the source of iodine and Oxone® as an oxidant. Various carbonyl compounds such as aralkyl ketones, aliphatic ketones (acyclic and cyclic), and β-keto esters proceeded to the respective α-monoiodinated products in moderate to excellent yields. Unsymmetrical aliphatic ketones reacted smoothly yielding a mixture of 1-iodo and 3-iodo ketones with the predominant formation of 1-iodoproduct.