Phosphorus tribromide → 2-(Bromomethyl)-4-(phenyloxy)-1-(trifluoromethyl)benzene

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

[5-(phenyloxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methanol (0.493 g, 1.84 mmol) in dichloromethane (12 ml) under nitrogen was stirred and cooled to −5° C. A solution of phosphorus tribromide (173 μl, 1.84 mmol) in DCM (3.5 ml) was added dropwise over about 2 min. The solution was then allowed to warm to room temperature and left to stand overnight. The solution was cooled to 4° C. and stirred well as saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (11 ml) was added in portions over 2 min. The biphasic mixture was stirred for a further 20 min. The mixture was diluted with water and DCM. The phases were separated using a hydrophobic frit and the aqueous phase washed with DCM. The combined organic extracts were stored in a freezer over the weekend and the DCM solution decanted off from crystals of ice. The organic phase was further dried (MgSO4), filtered and the solvent removed in vacuo to leave crude 2-(bromomethyl)-4-(phenyloxy)-1-(trifluoromethyl)benzene as a colourless oil (0.425 g).

Provenance & Evidence