Congested C2-symmetric aryliodanes based on an anti-dimethanoanthracene backbone

A family of congested aryliodanes based on an anti-dimethanoanthracene backbone has been synthesised and two diaryliodonium salts and the iodyl derivative characterised by X-ray analysis. The latter shows a rare water coordination to the iodine(V) centre in the solid state. Applications of these reagents in functional group transfer reactions are reported.