Oxidative halogenation of substituted pyrroles with Cu(II). Part III. Bromination and chlorination of 2-benzoylpyrrole

The bromination of 2-benzoylpyrrole with copper(II) bromide in the homogeneous and the heterogeneous phase is described, giving 4- and 5-monobromo derivatives whose ratio decreases as the temperature is increased. The same reaction with copper(II) chloride in acetonitrile at 60° produces 5-chloro-2-benzoylpyrrole as the major product. 4,5-Dihalopyrroles in good yields are obtained with an excess of halogenating agent.