Hypoiodite-catalysed oxidative homocoupling of arenols and tandem oxidation/cross-coupling of hydroquinones with arenes.

We report the hypoiodite-catalyzed oxidative C–C homocoupling of arenols to biarenols or biquinones using aqueous hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. In addition, by combining hypoiodite catalysis and lipophilic Lewis acid-assisted Bronsted acid catalysis under aqueous conditions, we achieved a tandem oxidation/cross-coupling reaction of hydroquinones with electron-rich arenes. These results highlight the substantial scope of hypoiodite/acid co-catalysis for use in oxidative coupling reactions.