The combination of (diacetoxy) iodobenzene (PhI (OAc) 2, DIB) and lithium bromide (LiBr) efficiently oxidized cyclic and acyclic acetals to the corresponding hydroxyalkyl carboxylic esters and simple esters in good to excellent yields. The merits of this reaction are that it employs commercially available and non-explosive hypervalent iodine (III) reagent, water as the solvent, a short reaction time, and mild reaction conditions.
