S/Se/Te–I Exchange of (Vinyl Toluenesulfonate)Benziodolium Salts: Access to Benzo[ <i>b</i> ]Hetercycles

With tosyloxy (-OTs) substituted monocyclic aryliodonium salts, we explored the atom-exchange reactions between sulfur/selenium/tellurium and iodine atoms for constructing benzo[ b ]-fused heterocycles such as benzo[ b ]thiophenes, benzo[ b ]selenophenes, and benzo[ b ]tellurophenes. The modifiable -OTs group of these benzo[ b ]-fused heterocycles enables straightforward diversification, providing a versatile platform for accessing bioactive molecules with potential application as antibacterial agents.