Aryl iodine-catalysed divergent synthesis of isobenzofuranones and isocoumarins via oxidative 1,2-aryl migration/elimination.

The divergent synthesis of isobenzofuranones and isocoumarins was realized from the reaction of 2-alkenyl benzoic acids and m CPBA in the presence of catalytic aryl iodine and (±)-10-camphorsulfonic acid (CSA). The organocatalytic oxidative reaction is assumed to undergo a cascade process involving lactonization, 1,2-aryl migration and elimination enabled by a modified Koser reagent generated in situ .