Phosphorus tribromide → 1-(Bromomethyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzene

A solution of 30 ml of phosphorus tribromide in 60 ml of absolute toluene was added dropwise at 20°-30° C. to a solution of 14 g of o-trifluoromethylbenzyl alcohol in 80 ml of absolute toluene. Subsequently, the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, the toluene was distilled under reduced pressure, the residue was dissolved in methylene chloride, treated with water and the mixture was adjusted to pH 8.0 with potassium hydrogen carbonate. The aqueous phase was extracted three times with CH2Cl2 and the organic phases were washed twice with water and once with saturated NaCl solution, dried over Na2SO4 and evaporated under reduced pressure. o-Trifluoromethylbenzyl bromide was obtained as the residue.