Oxidative rearrangements of arylalkenes with [hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene in 95% methanol: a general, regiospecific synthesis of α-aryl ketones

The treatment of arylalkenes with [hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene in 95% methanol affords the corresponding α-aryl ketones. This oxidative rearrangement is general for acyclic and cyclic arylalkenes and permits regioselective syntheses of isomeric α-phenyl ketone pairs.