The site-selective and chemoselective functionalization of alcohols in complex polyols remains a formidable synthetic challenge. Whereas significant advancements have been made in selective derivatization at the oxygen center, chemoselective oxidation to the corresponding carbonyls is less developed. In cyclic systems, whereas the selective oxidation of axial alcohols is well known, a complementary equatorial selective process has not yet been reported. Herein we report the utility of nitrogen-ligated (bis)cationic λ 3 -iodanes (N-HVIs) for alcohol oxidation and their unprecedented levels of selectivity for the oxidation of equatorial over axial alcohols. The conditions are mild, and the simple pyridine-ligated reagent (Py-HVI) is readily synthesized from commercial PhI(OAc) 2 and can be either isolated or generated in situ. Conformational selectivity is demonstrated in both flexible 1,2-substituted cyclohexanols and rigid polyol scaffolds, providing chemists with a novel tool for chemoselective oxidation.

The direct formation of aryl CÀ O bonds via the intramolecular dehydrogenative coupling of a CÀ H bond and a pendant alcohol represents a powerful synthetic transformation. Herein, we report a method for intramolecular arene CÀ H etherification via an umpoled alcohol cyclization mediated by an I(III) N-HVI reagent. This approach provides access to functionalized chromane scaffolds from primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols via a cascade cyclization-iodonium salt formation, the latter providing a versatile functional handle for downstream derivatization. Computational studies support initial formation of an umpoled O-intermediate via I(III) ligand exchange, followed by competitive direct and spirocyclization/1,2-shift pathways.

The direct formation of aryl C–O bonds via the intramolecular dehydrogenative coupling of a C–H bond and a pendant alcohol represents a powerful synthetic transformation. Herein, we report a method for intramolecular arene C–H etherification via an umpoled alcohol cyclization mediated by an I(III) N-HVI reagent. This approach provides access to functionalized chromane scaffolds from primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols via a cascade cyclization-iodonium salt formation, the latter providing a versatile functional handle for downstream derivatization. Computational studies support initial formation of an umpoled O-intermediate via I(III) ligand exchange, followed by competitive direct and spirocyclization/1,2-shift pathways.

The direct formation of aryl C-O bonds via the intramolecular dehydrogenative coupling of a C-H bond and a pendant alcohol represents a powerful synthetic transformation. Herein, we report a method for intramolecular arene C-H etherification via an umpoled alcohol cyclization mediated by an I(III) N-HVI reagent. This approach provides access to functionalized chromane scaffolds from primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols via a cascade cyclization-iodonium salt formation, the latter providing a versatile functional handle for downstream derivatization. Computational studies support initial formation of an umpoled O-intermediate via I(III) ligand exchange, followed by competitive direct and spirocyclization/1,2-shift pathways.