Synthesis, structure and reactivity of a 1-bromoalumole

A stable 1-bromoalumole has been synthesized by the reaction of a 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadiene derivative with AlBr3. The 1-bromoalumole was found to exist as a dimeric structure in the crystalline state. Reaction of the 1-bromoalumole with Mes*Li afforded the corresponding Mes*-substituted alumole (Mes* = 2,4,6-(t-Bu)(3)C6H2), demonstrating the potential of the 1-bromoalumole for the functionalization of alumoles.