Carbonyl–Olefin Metathesis Catalyzed by Molecular Iodine

The carbonyl–olefin metathesis reaction could facilitate rapid functional group interconversion and allow construction of complicated organic structures. Herein, we demonstrate that elemental iodine, a very simple catalyst, can efficiently promote this chemical transformation under mild reaction conditions. Our mechanistic studies revealed intriguing aspects of the activation mode via molecular iodine and the iodonium ion that could change the previously established perception of catalyst and substrate design for the carbonyl–olefin metathesis reaction.