Late-Stage Dehydroxyazidation of Alcohols Promoted by Trifunctional Hypervalent Azido-Iodine(III) Reagents

The development of convenient new methods for the synthesis of organic azides is highly desirable. Herein, we report a practical method for dehydroxyazidation of alcohols via an S(N)2 pathway involving PPh3 and trifunctional benziodazolone-based hypervalent azido-iodine(III) reagents, which function as an electrophilic center, an azido source, and a base. This mild, chemoselective method was used for late-stage azidation of structurally complex alcohols, as well as for a new synthetic route to the antiepileptic drug rufinamide. The reaction mechanism was also investigated both experimentally and computationally.

Automated summary

A practical method for dehydroxyazidation of alcohols using PPh3 and hypervalent azido-iodine(III) reagents is reported. The method allows for the late-stage azidation of structurally complex alcohols and the synthesis of the antiepileptic drug rufinamide.