Dehydrodimerization of iodobenzenes to iodinated biaryls

The molybdenum pentachloride-mediated oxidative coupling of iodo-substituted electron rich benzenes without the loss of the iodo-substituents is reported. The presented methodology is an environmentally friendly alternative to known thallium(III)- and lead(IV)-reagents. Even 2,2,6,6-tetraiodobiphenyl derivatives are easily accessible.