2-Iodylphenol ethers: Preparation, X-ray crystal structure, and reactivity of new hypervalent iodine(V) oxidizing reagents

2-Iodylphenol ethers were prepared by the dimethyldioxirane oxidation of the corresponding 2-iodophenol ethers and isolated as chemically stable, microcrystalline products. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1-iodyl-2-isopropoxybenzene 8c and 1-iodyl-2-butoxybenzene 8d revealed pseudopolymeric arrangements in the solid state formed by intermolecular interactions between IO₂ groups of different molecules. 2-Iodylphenol ethers can selectively oxidize sulfides to sulfoxides and alcohols to the respective aldehydes or ketones.