Clean and efficient benzylic C-H oxidation in water using a hypervalent iodine reagent: Activation of polymeric iodosobenzene with KBr in the presence of montmorillonite-K10

We have found that Unreactive and insoluble polymeric iodosobenzene [PhIO](n) induced aqueous benzylic C-H oxidation to effectively give arylketones, in the presence of KBr and montmorillonite-K10 (M-K10) clay. Water-soluble and reactive species 1 having the unique I(III)-Br bond, in situ generated from [PhIO](n) and KBr, was considered to be the key radical initiator during the reactions.