AROMATIC IODINATION WITH THE I-2-HGX(2) COMBINATION

The reaction of different aromatic compounds 1a-1t with iodine and a m ercury(II)-salt 2 [mercury(II) chloride, nitrate or triflate] (1:1:1 m olar ratio) in dichloromethane at room temperature leads to the corres ponding iodoarene 3, the obtained regiochemistry being the expected. C oncerning the mercury(II) salt, the observed reactivity decreased in t he series triflate>nitrate>chloride according to their ionic character . An activation of the iodine molecule by the mercury(II) salt followe d by a S-E reaction with the aromatic compound is postulated as the po ssible mechanism.