Methyl 2-iodobenzoate can be prepared from 2-iodobenzoic acid via esterification. It undergoes cobalt-catalyzed cyclization with aldehydes to form phthalide derivatives. The microbial dihydroxylation of methyl 2-iodobenzoate forms a nonracemic iodocyclohexene carboxylate intermediate. This intermediate forms the precursor for preparing kibdelone C.