Formal C–H/C–I Metathesis: Site-Selective C–H Iodination of 2-Aryl Benzoic Acid Derivatives Using Aryl Iodide

C-H functionalization via functional group metathesis is extremely rare. A protocol of remote site-selective C-H iodination of 2-aryl benzoic acid derivatives via formal C(sp2)-H/C(sp2)-I metathesis using readily available 1-iodo-4-methoxy-2-nitrobenzene as the mild iodinating reagent was reported herein. A range of 2-aryl benzoic acid derivatives including 2-(naphthalen-1-yl)benzoic acids and [1,1'-binaphthalene]-2-carboxylic acids were iodinated under mild conditions to give valuable iodinated products in a site- and chemo-selective fashion.