Poly(4-vinylpyridine)/ICl: An efficient system for the regioselective iodination of activated aromatic compounds

Poly(4-vinylpyridine)/ICl is reported as an efficient system for the regioselective iodination of activated aromatic compounds. Various activated aromatic compounds were iodinated into the corresponding aryl iodides in high yields. Poly(4-vinylpyridine) can be recovered by simple filtration and recycled up to 6 consecutive runs without significant decrease in its catalytic activity. This method provides many advantages such as good selectivity between ortho and para positions of aromatic compounds, simple work-up, mild conditions and high product yields.