Advances in α-Arylation of Carbonyl Compounds: Diaryliodonium Salts as Arylating Agents

Diaryliodonium salts are an important part of hypervalent iodine chemistry, owing to their highly electrophilic character, non-toxicity, and air and moisture stability, have been identified as an important arylating agent. It has been widely applied in the synthesis of natural products, drugs, and bioactive molecules bearing active α-arylation carbonyl units. Within the domain of α-arylation of carbonyl compounds using diaryliodonium salts, there is a notable absence in the literature of a comprehensive compilation dedicated to exclusive arylation processes involving these compounds. In this review, we focus on the overview of the recent advancements in utilizing diaryliodonium salts for α-arylation reactions, encompassing both racemic and asymmetric approaches to various carbonyl compounds including ketones, esters, enolates, and amides. Furthermore, we discuss the unique advantages and inherent limitations of diaryliodonium salts as arylating agents, as well as the underexplored application potentials that warrant further investigation in this rapidly evolving field.