Preparation and X-ray structure of 2-iodoxybenzenesulfonic acid (IBS) – a powerful hypervalent iodine(V) oxidant

The selective preparation of 2-iodoxybenzenesulfonic acid (IBS, as potassium or sodium salts) by oxidation of sodium 2-iodobenzenesulfonate with Oxone or sodium periodate in water is reported. The single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals a complex polymeric structure consisting of three units of IBS as potassium salt and one unit of 2-iodoxybenzenesulfonic acid linked together by relatively strong I=O···I intermolecular interactions. Furthermore, a new method for the preparation of the reduced form of IBS, 2-iodosylbenzenesulfonic acid, by using periodic acid as an oxidant, has been developed. It has been demonstrated that the oxidation of free 2-iodobenzenesulfonic acid under acidic conditions affords an iodine(III) heterocycle (2-iodosylbenzenesulfonic acid), while the oxidation of sodium 2-iodobenzenesulfonate in neutral aqueous solution gives the iodine(V) products.