Highly efficient RuCl3-catalyzed disproportionation of (diacetoxyiodo)benzene to iodylbenzene and iodobenzene; leading to the efficient oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds

(Diacetoxyiodo)benzene (DIB) selectively oxidizes primary and secondary alcohols to the respective carbonyl compounds in the presence of RuCl3 (0.8-1.0 mol %) at room temperature in aqueous acetonitrile. This reaction proceeds via an initial instantaneous Ru-catalyzed disproportionation of DIB to iodobenzene and iodylbenzene with the latter acting as the actual stoichiometric oxidant toward alcohols.