Copper-Catalyzed Vicinal Oxyazidation and Diazidation of Styrenes under Mild Conditions: Access to Alkyl Azides.

A novel and efficient copper-catalyzed oxyazidation and diazidation of styrenes is described. The stable azidoiodine(III) reagent is used as an efficient azide radical source in this reaction. A variety of synthetically useful functional groups are compatible with the mild reaction conditions. This protocol enables the straightforward synthesis of various functionalized azides in good-to-excellent yields.