Photochemical α-bromination of ketones using N-bromosuccinimide: a simple, mild and efficient method

Aromatic and aliphatic carbonyl compounds undergo facile bromination with N-bromosuccinimide under UV–vis irradiation to give the corresponding α-brominated ketones in good yields, at low temperatures (30 °C), without any catalyst, catalyst support or radical initiator and within a short time.