Comparative Reactivity of Hypervalent Iodine Oxidants in Metalloporphyrin-Catalyzed Oxygenation of Hydrocarbons: Iodosylbenzene Sulfate and 2-Iodylbenzoic Acid Ester as Safe and Convenient Alternatives to Iodosylbenzene

A comparative study of the reactivity of 2‐iodylbenzoic acid isopropyl ester (IBX‐ester), oligomeric iodosylbenzene sulfate [(PhIO)3⋅SO3]n, and iodosylbenzene in the oxygenation of anthracene in the presence of metal porphyrin or phthalocyanine complexes is reported. Results of this study demonstrate that oligomeric iodosylbenzene sulfate and the IBX‐ester are the most reactive oxygenating reagents that can be used as a safe and convenient alternative to the thermally unstable and potentially explosive iodosylbenzene.