Paired electrochemical C-H bromination of (hetero)arenes with 2-bromoethan-1-ol

A site-selective electrochemical C-H bromination of (hetero)arenes with 2-bromoethan-1-ol through paired electrolysis has been developed. The C-H bromination reactions depend on the anodic oxidation of Br- produced by the cathodic reduction of 2-bromoethan-1-ol with available ethylene oxide and hydrogen evolution. The method has good compatibility with common functional groups and the scale-up electrolysis can easily be performed. A wide variety of brominated products were obtained with satisfactory yields at room temperature in a simple undivided cell.

Automated summary

A site-selective electrochemical C-H bromination of (hetero)arenes with 2-bromoethan-1-ol through paired electrolysis is developed, where the anodic oxidation of Br- produced by the cathodic reduction of 2-bromoethan-1-ol is essential. The method shows good compatibility with common functional groups and can be easily scaled up. A variety of brominated products can be obtained with satisfactory yields at room temperature in a simple undivided cell.