Tetrafluoro-IBA and-IBX: Hypervalent Iodine Reagents

Fluorine makes the difference: FIBX (see structure), the tetrafluoro derivative of the hypervalent iodine reagent, is more soluble and has higher reactivity than its nonfluorinated counterpart. An efficient synthesis of FIBX and initial reactions are presented. Some of these reactions can be conducted in standard organic solvents. Owing to the increased reactivity, new transformations and catalytic reactions may be possible.