Unexpected, drastic effect of triflic acid on oxidative diacetoxylation of iodoarenes by sodium perborate. A facile and efficient one-pot synthesis of (diacetoxyiodo)arenes.

An easy, safe, and effective method for preparing (diacetoxyiodo)arenes from iodoarenes is presented. Addition of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (triflic acid) as a promoter causes a drastic increase in the yield of (diacetoxyiodo)arenes in the reaction of iodoarenes with sodium perborate. The reaction of the iodoarenes with sodium perborate in acetic acid in the presence of triflic acid at 40-45 degrees C efficiently generates the corresponding (diacetoxyiodo)arenes in high yields within short time.