Oxidative Decarboxylation of 2-Aryl Carboxylic Acids Using (Diacetoxyiodo)benzene for Preparation of Aryl Aldehydes, Ketones, and Nitriles

A novel synthetic application of the hypervalent iodine reagent, (diacetoxyiodo)benzene, and catalytic amount of sodium azide in acetonitrile for oxidative decarboxylation of 2-aryl carboxylic acids into corresponding aldehydes, ketones, and nitriles at room temperature is described. The advantages of this protocol are shorter reaction times and mild reaction conditions to obtain moderate to good yields