PhIO as a powerful cyclizing reagent: regiospecific [3+2]-tandem oxidative cyclization of imine toward cofacially self-aggregated low molecular mass organic materials.

The powerful cyclization and tandem oxidation property of environmentally benign PhIO is developed for the first time, which leads to regiospecific [3+2]-tandem oxidative cyclization of imine at room temperature in rapid access to a new class of compounds, 1,2-functionalized 4,5-diarylimidazoles, in excellent yield with synthetic efficiency. Size, shape, and activity of the involved nanoreactors for the green approach built up from various surfactants are investigated. Spontaneous generation of low molecular mass self-aggregated organic materials, their cofacial one-dimensional packing, and interesting photophysical properties are reported.