Organic Chemistry: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Complexation of KBr3 with Poly (Ethylene Glycol): Efficient Bromination of Aromatics Under Solvent-less Conditions

Sanny Verma and Suman L. Jain

The complexation of KBr₃ with acyclic poly (ethylene glycol)-400 was carried out in which the chain of polyether suitably wrapped around the cation in a host-guest manner. The resulting complex was found to be an efficient brominating agent for the selective regioselective monobromination of various aromatic compounds in excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. In another protocol, bromination was carried out by using the PEG-embedded KBr3 as a catalyst in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The presence of hydrogen peroxide enhanced the reaction rates and provided selective bromination within very short reaction times.