Synthesis of Iodobenzene/Chlorobenzene in one pot

[pHarmacist]

A mixture of 22.8 g of benzene (0.3 moles), 27.5 g of iodine monochloride (0.169 moles), and 2.0 g of tungstated zirconia calcined at 800 DEG C. for 3 hours was stirred for 20 minutes at 20 DEG C. A copious quantity of HCl off-gassed from the reaction mixture. A GC of the reaction mixture indicated 41% conversion of benzene to a 1.3:1 mixture of chlorobenzene and iodobenzene.

Patent US6225514

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[Rhodium]

So by using a very expensive reagent and a specialized, hard to prepare catalyst, you can get a 41% yield of a mixture of relatively cheap, commercial products while releasing large amounts of corrosive gasses?

I'm sorry, but I don't think I have seen such a useless synthesis in a long time...  

[pHarmacist]

Don't be sorry.     I found it interesting that both could be made in one reaction vessel at the same time. Yield sucks, yeah... hehe... But then again, you can just order them

Hey! Maybe we can use this as a novel HCl(g) generator for chrystallisations LOL!

EDIT:
Iodobenzene is to prefer in most cases over chlorobenzene.  A better way of making it is:

Post 380729

(pHarmacist: "Iodobenzene by direct benzene iodination", Novel Discourse)

Looking up prices online at various chem suppliers makes me wonder if this realy isn't the most useless/stupid synthesis around..
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