ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Mild and efficient conversion of trifluoromethylarenes into tribromomethylarenes using boron tribromide

Hongbiao Chen, Jianxiang Yin, and Yuanbin Lin

Chemistry College, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, Hunan Province, China

E-mail: xtu519@yahoo.com.cn

Received: 5 February 2008  Revised: 27 June 2008  Accepted: 4 July 2008

Abstract: Tribromomethylarenes were prepared efficiently, at room temperature, from trifluoromethylarenes with boron tribromide as the brominating reagent. The present process is applicable to the preparation of various substituted benzotribromide derivatives from substituted benzotrifluoride compounds. p-Substituted benzotrifluoride compounds were found to be more reactive than o-substituted isomers under the given reaction conditions.

Keywords: trifluoromethylarenes - tribromomethylarenes - tribromomethylation - substitution reaction - boron tribromide

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.2478/s11696-008-0082-3

Chemical Papers 63 (1) 92–96 (2009)