Direct synthesis of α-hydroxyacetophenones through molecular iodine activation of carbon–carbon double bonds

An I2-promoted activation of carbon–carbon double bonds has been demonstrated. This simple and efficient domino process was utilized for the direct construction of α-hydroxyacetophenones in moderate to good yields from easily available styrenes at room temperature. This approach involved molecular iodine activation of carbon–carbon double bonds to form an iodonium intermediate. Moreover, TBHP was used as the sole effective oxidant and water was used as nucleophilic reagent in this reaction.