Iodination of antipyrine with [N–I–N]+ and carbonyl hypoiodite iodine(i) complexes

Abstract

A series of iodine(I) complexes, both known and new, were synthesised and the dependence of iodination reactivity on the identity of the Lewis bases and anions present was investigated. Using a previously established screening protocol based on the iodination of antipyrine to iodo-antipyrine, the capability of the iodine(I) species to perform the iodination was tested and compared, especially in relation to Barluenga's reagent, [I(pyridine)2]BF4. The results indicated that the identity of both the Lewis bases and the anion influence the iodination capability of the iodine(I) species, and that the less efficient reagents can deliver favourably comparable percentage conversions with longer reaction times.