Aqueous Phase Bromination by Micellar Solution of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS): An Undergraduate Chemistry Experiment

Background: Bromination is a key reaction in the chemical industry since the organobromines find application in diverse fields like pharmaceuticals, dyes, fire retardants, and as intermediates in chemical synthesis. Objective: To carry out green, in-situ bromination of acetanilide in an aqueous medium using micellar SDS as a catalyst. Methods: Bromination of acetanilide in-situ using potassium bromide as a non-corrosive source of bromine, ceric ammonium nitrate as oxidant, micellar solution of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) as catalyst and water as solvent. Results: p-Bromoacetanilide was prepared in excellent yields at room temperature using green chemistry principles. Conclusion: The presented method provides a fast and environmentally safe route for the preparation of p-bromoacetanilide from acetanilide. It avoids the use of volatile, corrosive, and hazardous substances like liquid bromine and acetic acid. The use of water makes it safer and free from hazardous organic solvents. This reaction can be suitably adopted at the undergraduate level and may find use in the synthesis of commercially important bromo compounds.