Visible light-induced mono-bromination of arenes with BrCCl₃

Jiali Fan,^a Qiancheng Wei,^a Ershu Zhu,^a Jing Gao,^a Xiamin Cheng,*^a Yongna Lu*^a and Teck-Peng Loh*^ab

^aInstitute of Advanced Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech), Nanjing 211816, P. R. China.

^bDivision of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371 Singapore.

Abstract：A highly efficient and regioselective bromination of electron-rich arenes and heteroarenes using commercially available BrCCl₃ as a “Br” source has been developed. The reaction was performed in air under mild conditions with photocatalyst Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂·6H₂O, avoiding the usage of strong acids and strong oxidants. Mono-brominated products were obtained with medium to excellent yields (up to 94%). This strategy has shown good compatibility and high para-selectivity, which will facilitate the complicated synthesis.

Chem. Commun., 2021, 57, 5977-5980. (IF= 5.996)

https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC01721G