Mild oxidative bromination of alkenes and alkynes with zinc bromide and lead tetraacetate

Zinc bromide and lead tetraacetate is a practical and safe source of bromine. The combined reagents are used to brominate a variety of alkenes to vicinal dibromoalkanes. Similarly, alkynes can be converted into dibromoalkenes in high yields. The reagents are also capable of tetrabromination of alkynes.