Water as an efficient medium for the synthesis of functionalized enol ethers

Herein we report an efficient method for synthesis of β-alkylated and β,β-dialkylated α-iodo enol ethers in water. Radical addition in aqueous medium of ethyl iodoacetate, iodoacetonitrile, and iodoacetamide to ynol ethers leads to α-iodo enol ethers with moderate to excellent yields and high stereoselectivities.