Azobisisobutyronitrile → 2-(2'-Hydroxy-3'-tert-butyl-5'-bromomethyphenyl)benzotriazole

2-(2′-hydroxy-3′-tert-butyl-5′-bromomethyphenyl)benzotriazole was prepared from the bromination of 2-(2′-hydroxy-3′-tert-butyl-5′-methyphenyl)benzotriazole using azobis isobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. In a 500 ml three-necked round bottomed flask, 6.274 g (0.0223 mol) 2-(2′-hydroxy-3′-tert-butyl-5′-methyphenyl)benzotriazole and 100 mg of AIBN were taken and dissolved in 150 ml of dry carbon tetrachloride. In a separate conical flask 4.18 g (1.5 ml, 0.03 mol) of bromine was dissolved in 75 ml of dry carbon tetrachloride and solution was transferred to a cylindrical funnel with pressure equalizing tube. Three-necked round-bottomed flask containing solution of 2-(2′-hydroxy-3′-tert-butyl-5′-methyphenyl)benzotriazole was kept in oil-bath with temperature of 50° C. Nitrogen was bubbled through the solution for creating inert atmosphere. Cylindrical funnel containing bromine solution was mounted on the three-necked round-bottomed flask. Solution in the flask was continuously stirred with the help of magnetic stirrer. Bromine solution was added, drop-by-drop, from funnel to the flask for a span of 4-5 hours till all the solution was poured out. After that heating was stopped and the final reaction mixture was allowed to cool at room temperature. Product was separated by solvent evaporation. Finally the product was purified by recrystallization from acetone. The yield of 2-(2′-hydroxy-3′-tert-butyl-5′-bromomethyphenyl)benzotriazole was 6.6 g (82%).