Catalyst- and Metal-Free Rapid Functionalizations of Alkynes Using TsNBr2

A very rapid (3-12 min) and efficient method has been developed for a one-pot synthesis of alpha,alpha-dibromoalkanones and beta-bromoenol alkanoates directly from alkynes using N,N-dibromo-p-toluenesulfonamide (TsNBr2). The protocol is embellished with features like ambient temperature, high regioselectivity, operational simplicity, and metal- and catalyst-free conditions.