Hydrogen Bromide → 1-(2-Bromoethyl)adamantane

A mixture of hydrobromic acid (26.2 g, 48%), concentrated sulphuric acid (10.82 g), and 2-(adamantan-1-yl)ethanol (10.82 g, 0.06 mol) was stirred and heated under reflux for 6 h. After cooling, water (60 ml) was added to the reaction mixture and the mixture was shaken. The organic layer was separated, and was then extracted with ether (3×100 ml). The extracts were combined, washed with water (1×20 ml) and with sodium carbonate solution (20 ml, 10% w/v) and the ether solution was then dried (MgSO4). The ether solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to give a solid, which was recrystallised from aqueous ethanol, to afford 1-(adamantan-1-yl)-2-bromoethane as white plates, m.p. 71°-72°.