Selective α,α-Dibromination of Arylethanones with Copper(II) Bromide

Various arylethanones including electron-rich aromatic ketones such as o-hydroxyacetophenone and its p-isomer underwent selective side-chain α,α-dibromination using a heterogeneous system consisting of four molar equivalents of copper(II) bromide in chloroform-ethyl acetate under reflux. This study provides the cleanest method for the selective synthesis of several synthetically useful α,α-dibromoketones which are otherwise difficult to prepare.