The combination of TsNBr2/TsNH2 as the nitrogen/halo source for the aminobromination of β-methyl-β-nitrostyrenes catalyzed by Mn(OAc)2

The combination of N,N-dibromo-p-tolunesulfonamide (4-TsNBr2) and TsNH2 was found to be an efficient halogen/nitrogen source for the aminohalogenation of β-methyl-β-nitrostyrenes with manganese (II) acetate as the catalyst in the presence of 4 Å molecular sieves. The reaction results in vicinal bromoamino nitroalkanes with the opposite regioselectivity comparing with those reported, which was also confirmed by X-ray structural analysis.