Desulfonyloxyiodination of arenesulfonic acids with mCPBA and molecular iodine

Treatment of p-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids with mCPBA and molecular iodine gave p-alkyliodobenzenes in good to moderate yields via electrophilic ipso-substitution by the iodonium species (I⁺) formed. This desulfonyloxyiodination was promoted by the addition of a catalytic amount of iodoarenes, such as o-iodobenzoic acid. The same treatment of dimethylbenzenesulfonic acids and trimethylbenzenesulfonic acids with mCPBA and molecular iodine proceeded smoothly both in the absence and in the presence of o-iodobenzoic acid to provide the corresponding monoiodo-dimethylbenzene and diiodo-dimethylbenzene, and diiodo-trimethylbenzene and triiodo-trimethylbenzene, in good to moderate yields, respectively. On the other hand, the same desulfonyloxyiodination of benzenesulfonic acid and p-chlorobenzenesulfonic acid with mCPBA and molecular iodine proceeded only in the presence of o-iodobenzoic acid to generate iodobenzene and p-chloroiodobenzene, respectively, in moderate yields.