Synthetic use of molecular iodine for organic synthesis

The synthetic use of molecular iodine is described. Iodine is a universal oxidizing agent, especially for the oxidation of alcohols and aldehydes to esters, nitriles and amides. Further applications are the introduction of protecting groups, deprotection, iodocyclization, C-C bond formation, and formation of heterocycles. 1 Introduction 2 Oxidation of Alcohols and Aldehydes to Esters, Nitriles, Amides 3 Oxidation of Sulfides 4 Oxidation to Aromatics 5 Introduction of Protecting Groups 6 Deprotection 7 Iodocyclization 8 C-C Bond Formation 9 Formation of Heterocycles 10 Others