Molecular Iodine in the Synthesis of Chromone-type Compounds

Chromones are an important group of heterocyclic compounds due to their important functions in nature and their pharmacological applications. Many efficient syntheses of chromones have been reported through the years but the search for novel methods addressing to the preparation of this type of compounds still remains a relevant topic. Simple and efficient procedures using molecular iodine for the synthesis of these organic molecules have been reported. The uses of catalytic amounts of iodine in cyclodehydration reactions and as additives in oxidative or photooxidative cyclizations are well known approaches for the preparation of new chromone-type compounds. The purpose of this review is to describe the most relevant work on chromone-type compounds using molecular iodine.