Cyclization of carbonyl groups onto alkynes upon reaction with IPy2BF4 and their trapping with nucleophiles: a versatile trigger for assembling oxygen heterocycles.

Iodonium ions liberated from bis(pyridine)iodonium(I) tetrafluoroborate react with ortho-alkynyl-substituted carbonyl compounds and different nucleophiles to give valuable iodinated heterocycles at room temperature, through a new and metal-free reaction sequence. Interestingly, the nature of the nucleophile can be widely modified, and not only alcohols but also several carbon-based nucleophiles can be nicely used.