Oxidative bromination of ketones using ammonium bromide and oxone®

A highly efficient, environmentally safe and economic method for selective α-monobromination of aralkyl, cyclic, acyclic, 1,3-diketones and β-keto esters and α,α-dibromination of 1,3-diketones and β-keto esters without catalyst is reported using ammonium bromide as a bromine source and oxone® as an oxidant. The reaction proceeds at ambient temperature and yields range from moderate to excellent. Bromination of unsymmetrical ketones takes place at the less substituted α-position predominantly. Aromatisation of tetralones is also carried out with this reagent system.