Selective gem‐Dichlorination of Isonitriles Mediated by (Dichloroiodo)benzene

A selective gem-dichlorination of isonitriles has been successfully achieved by using (dichloroiodo)benzene as a chlorinating reagent. The reaction gives N-arylcarbonimidic dichlorides in high yields under mild and metal-free conditions. The application of N-arylcarbonimidic dichlorides as synthetic intermediates in the synthesis of 2,2,3,3-tetrachloroaziridine 4, propyl formimidate 5, benzophenone imine 6, and 6-chlorophenanthridine (3a) was also investigated.