[Hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene mediated α-azidation of ketones

Reaction of various ketones with [hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene (HTIB) followed by treatment of the alpha-tosyloxy ketones thus generated in situ with NaN3 offers a one-pot procedure for the synthesis of alpha-azido ketones. The HTIB used in this conversion may also be generated in situ by using iodosobenzene in combination with p-toluene-sulphonic acid.