Scandium triflate-catalyzed 6,6′-diiodination of 2,2′-dimethoxy-1,1′-binaphthyl with 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin

Scandium triflate-catalyzed iodination of 2,2′-dimethoxy-1,1′-binaphthyl with 2 equiv of 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DIH) proceeded to give 6,6′-diiodo-2,2′-dimethoxy-1,1′-binaphtyl in 98% yield and subsequent deprotection of methyl groups provided 6,6′-diiodo-1,1′-binaphthol, which is a useful ligand or reagent for many enantioselective transformations. Use of 2 equiv of NIS in place of DIH in the presence of scandium triflate, however, did not successfully yield 6,6′-diiodo-2,2′-dimethoxy-1,1′-binaphtyl, indicating that one of two types of iodine atoms in DIH is more reactive toward the iodination than iodine in NIS.