Imidazole → 1-(Bromomethyl)-3-ethylbenzene

Participants

Reaction Steps

Bromine (0.21 mL, 4.08 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of triphenylphosphine (1.08 g, 4.12 mmol) and imidazole (280 mg, 4.11 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (13.5 mL) at 0° C. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and then a solution of (3-ethylphenyl)methanol (˜3.05 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (3.5 mL) was added. After 1 h, the mixture was diluted with hexanes and filtered through celite, washing with excess hexanes. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. Purification of the crude residue by chromatography on silica gel (hexanes→10% EtOAc/hexanes, gradient) afforded 530 mg (87% over two steps) of 1-(bromomethyl)-3-ethylbenzene.

Provenance & Evidence