Phosphorus tribromide → Phosphorus trichloride

Participants

Reaction Steps

A number of dehydrating agents can be used, for example, phosphorus oxychloride, phosphorus tribromide, phosphorus pentachloride and polyphosphoric acid. Phosphorus oxychloride and phosphorus tribromide are the preferred agents. Furthermore, a particular dehydrating agent determines which compound of formula I will be formed: use of phosphorus oxychloride, phosphorus trichloride or phosphorus pentachloride affords the corresponding compound of formula I in which R5 is chloro; use of phosphorus oxybromide or phosphorus tribromide affords the corresponding compound of formula I in which R5 is bromo; and use of polyphosphoric acid affords the corresponding compound of formula I in which R5 is hydroxy.

Provenance & Evidence