Dihaloiodates(I): synthesis with hydrogen peroxide and their halogenating activity

Tetraalkylammonium and pyridinium dichloro- and dibromoiodates(I) were efficiently prepared from iodine and tetralkylammonium chloride or pyridine by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an equimolar amount of a hydrogen halide. Their halogenating activity was tested on 1,3-dimethoxybenzene and styrene as model substrates. The results show that ICl2− salts acted as iodinating reagents, while IBr2− salts brominated both substrates.