A convenient and regioselective oxidative bromination of electron-rich aromatic rings using potassium bromide and benzyltriphenylphosphonium peroxymonosulfate under nearly neutral reaction conditions

Regioselective oxidative bromination of electron-rich aromatic rings has been studied using potassium bromide as a bromine source in the presence of benzyltriphenylphosphonium peroxymonosulfate as oxidant under nearly neutral reaction conditions. In most cases we obtained monobrominated derivatives regioselectively and in good to high yields without the aid of strong acids.