Azobisisobutyronitrile → Methyl 2-(bromomethyl)benzoate

To a solution of 2-methylbenzoic acid methyl ester (33.0 g) in tetrachlorocarbon (440 ml) were added N-bromosuccinimide (43.0 g) and AIBN (2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile, 361 mg) and the mixture was refluxed for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was cooled down to 0° C. and cinnamoic acid that appeared were filtered off and the filtrate was concentrated. The residue was purified by distillation under reduced pressure to give the title compound having the following physical data (28.0 g, colorless oil).