FORMATION AND SYNTHETIC USE OF OXYGEN-CENTERED RADICALS WITH (DIACETOXYIODO)ARENES

o-Alkyl- or o-aryl-benzenecarboxylic acids and alcohols containing an aromatic ring are treated with a (diacetoxylodo)arene-iodine system to give the corresponding cyclized products such as phthalide, benzocoum arin and chromane derivatives in moderate to good yields via the corre sponding oxygen-centred radicals. For the carboxylic acids, [bis(trifl uoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene functions effectively, while (diacetoxyiodo)b enzene is effective for the alcohols. Chromane and its derivatives are obtained as iodinated compounds by hypoiodite species derived from (d iacetoxyiodo)benzene and iodine.