A simple and regioselective α-bromination of alkyl aromatic compounds by two-phase electrolysis

Electrochemical bromination of toluene and substituted toluenes by two-phase electrolysis yields the corresponding α-brominated products. The reaction has been carried out in a single compartment cell with platinum electrodes at 0 °C in chloroform using an aqueous sodium bromide solution (60%) containing a catalytic amount of HBr. Two-phase electrolysis results in high yields (60-95%) of monobromo compounds with very high regioselectivity (>95%).