Electrochemical Method for the Preparation of Dibromomethyl, Bis(bromomethyl), and Bis(dibromomethyl) Arenes

摘要

Electrochemical bromination of alkyl aromatic compounds by two-phase electrolysis yields the corresponding α,α-dibrominated products. The reaction has been carried out in a single-compartment electrochemical cell using aqueous sodium bromide (40-50%), containing a catalytic amount of HBr as electrolyte, and chloroform, containing an alkyl aromatic compound, as the organic phase with a Pt plate as anode at 10-15°C. Two-phase electrolysis results in high yields (70-90%) of dibromomethyl, bis(bromomethyl), and bis(dibromomethyl) arenes, depending upon the charge passed.