Microwave irradiation of certain chloro-, bromo-, trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-and nonafluorobutanesulfonyloxy-substituted quinolines in the presence of acetic anhydride and sodium iodide leads, via a trans-halogenation process, to the corresponding iodides in high yield. Related conversions involving pyridines and isoquinolines can also be achieved under similar conditions.
