Introduction
<P>Halogenated organic compounds have long been known as useful synthetic intermediates,
which are not only man-made, but also synthesized by a large number of different organisms.
[
1]
Halogenated organic compounds are important components in a variety of biologically
active molecules and pharmaceutical agents.
[
2]
They form an important class of intermediates as they can be converted efficiently
into other functionalities by simple chemical transformations. For example aryl, vinyl
and benzylic halides serve as important precursors to organolithium
[
3]
and Grignard
[
4]
reagents in C-C bond formation. Aryl halides have been employed as substrates for
nucleophilic aromatic substitutions
[
5]
and for benzyne generation.
[
6]
Additionally, both aryl
[
7]
[
8]
and vinyl
[
9]
halides have found widespread utility as substrates for a variety of cross-coupling
reactions. As a result of the diverse potential applications of organic halides, the
development of new regioselective, chemoselective and functional-group tolerant approaches
using non-polluting reagents for the synthesis of these molecules remains an important
challenge. In this context, KX/H
2O
2 serves as an efficient and non-polluting halogenation reagent in organic synthesis.</P>
