Nonreductive deiodination of ortho-iodo-hydroxylated arenes using tertiary amines.

A convenient and nonreductive deiodination is reported for the ortho-iodo-hydroxylated arenes including derivatives of quinolinol, phenol, and naphthol. Tertiary amines pyridine, triethylamine, and N-methylmorpholine in the presence of water initiated deiodination of ortho-iodo-hydroxylated arenes without affecting para-iodine and other reduction-susceptible groups. This reported method also works efficiently for polyiodinated systems. Simplicity, short reaction times, and absence of reducing catalyst are features of this method.