Iodobenzene-catalyzed synthesis of α,α′-dihydroxy ketones: In situ generation of [bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene

Exposure of ethynyl carbinols to oxone/(CF3CO)2O in the presence of a catalytic amount of iodobenzene afforded α,α′-dihydroxy ketones in good yield, which are common structural motifs in natural products and biologically active compounds. Compared with traditional methods, this method is more convenient and avoids using stoichiometric amounts of hypervalent iodine reagents.