Regioselective vicinal functionalization of unactivated alkenes with sulfonium iodate(i) reagents under metal-free conditions.

Metal-free, molecular iodine-free direct 1,2-difunctionalization of unactivated alkenes has been reported. The sulfonium iodate(i) reagent efficiently promoted the intermolecular vicinal iodo-functionalization of a diverse range of olefins in a stereo and regioselective manner. This method enables the divergent and straightforward preparation of synthetically useful functionalities; β-iodocarboxylates, β-iodohydrins, and β-iodoethers in a one-step process. Further interconversion of iodo-functionalized derivatives allows easy access to valuable synthetic intermediates en route to biologically active molecules.