Triiodoisocyanuric acid (TICA) was prepared in 90% yield by heating trichloroisocyanuric acid with iodine in a sealed tube. The reaction of TICA with activated arenes in acetonitrile led to an efficient and highly regioselective formation of the corresponding iodoarenes, in 73-93% isolated yield. Aniline and phenol are monoiodinated regioselectively using MeOH (53%) and CH2Cl2 (88%) as solvents, respectively.
triiodoisocianuric acid; iodination; activated aromatic compound; iodoarene; electrophilic halogenation
