1,3-Diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin—An efficient reagent for iodination of aromatic compounds

Abstract
1,3-Diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin in organic solvents successfully iodinates alkylbenzenes, aromatic amines, and phenyl ethers. The reactivity of electrophilic iodine is controlled by acidity of the medium. Superelectrophilic iodine generated upon dissolution of 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin in sulfuric acid readily reacts with electron-deficient arenes at 0 to 20�C with formation of the corresponding iodo derivatives in good yields. The structure of electrophilic iodine species generated from 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin in sulfuric acid is discussed.