Synthesis of 4-Alkyl-2-iodosobenzoic Acids: Potent Catalysts for the Hydrolysis of Phosphorous Esters

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00305a011

The syntheses of five new 4-alkyl-2-iodosobenzoic acids (3) are described.The iodine atom was introduced by ortho-directed lithiation of 4-alkylbenzyl alcohols followed by treatment with I2.The catalytic effectiveness of each of the products in the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl diphenyl phosphate in microemulsions was studied.The 4-methyl- and 4-ethyl-substituted products were each found to be significantly better catalysts than the standard nonalkylated 2-iodosobenzoic acid (3, R=H).These results would indicate that microemulsions of these materials may find use in detoxification procedures.