Chromium(II)-mediated reactions of iodonium tetrafluoroborates with aldehydes: Umpolung of reactivity of diaryl-, alkenyl(aryl)-, and alkynyl(aryl)iodonium tetrafluoroborates

The method described herein allows us, for the first time, to perform umpolung of reactivity of diaryl-, alkenyl(aryl)-, and alkynyl(aryl)iodonium tetrafluoroborates. The method involves generation of organochromium(III) species via reaction of iodonium salts with anhydrous chromium dichloride, followed by their nucleophilic addition to aldehydes to yield alcohols. In contrast to the reaction of aryl and alkenyl halides with chromium dichloride, these iodonium salts are so active that organochromium(III) could be generated without using a nickel catalyst. Substituent effects of unsymmetrically substituted diaryliodonium salts on the product profiles are in good agreement with the reported mode of decomposition of the intermediate unsymmetrical diaryliodanyl radicals. Alkenyl(mesityl)iodonium tetrafluoroborates undergo exclusive alkenylation of aldehydes with no signs of the formation of an arylation product.