NaIO4-mediated selective oxidative halogenation of alkenes and aromatics using alkali metal halides.

[reaction: see text] NaIO(4) oxidizes alkali metal halides efficiently in aqueous medium to halogenate alkenes and aromatics and produce the corresponding halo derivatives in excellent regio and stereoselectivity. The system also demonstrates the asymmetric version of bromo hydroxylation using beta-cyclodextrin complexes, resulting in moderate ee.