ISRN Organic Chemistry

Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 751298, 11 pages

http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/751298

Research Article

Substrate Directed Regioselective Monobromination of Aralkyl Ketones Using N-Bromosuccinimide Catalysed by Active Aluminium Oxide: α-Bromination versus Ring Bromination

Reddy Bodireddy Mohan, G. Trivikram Reddy, and N. C. Gangi Reddy

Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh 516 003, India

Received 23 November 2013; Accepted 24 December 2013; Published 4 March 2014

Academic Editors: M. D'Auria, M. Parra, J. Wu, and N. Zanatta

Copyright © 2014 Reddy Bodireddy Mohan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Bromination of aralkyl ketones using N-bromosuccinimide in presence of active Al₂O₃ provided either α-monobrominated products in methanol at reflux or mononuclear brominated products in acetonitrile at reflux temperature with excellent isolated yields depending on the nature of substrate employed. The α-bromination was an exclusive process when aralkyl ketones containing moderate activating/deactivating groups were subjected to bromination under acidic Al₂O₃ conditions in methanol at reflux while nuclear functionalization was predominant when aralkyl ketones containing high activating groups were utilized for bromination in presence of neutral Al₂O₃ conditions in acetonitrile at reflux temperature. In addition, easy isolation of products, use of inexpensive catalyst, short reaction time (10–20 min), and safe operational practice are the major benefits in the present protocol.

1. Introduction

Nowadays, researchers are focusing on the development of more acceptable bromination protocols to accomplish increasing demands for “organohalogen” chemistry and to achieve higher efficiency and selectivity of the bromination reactions which include α-bromination and nuclear bromination. The resulting α-brominated or nuclear brominated products acquired wide range of utility in organic synthesis [1–3]. Nuclear brominated ketones are found to be useful intermediates in C–C coupling reactions, as precursors to organometallic species and in nucleophilic substitutions.

It is well known that use of molecular bromine [4] as a basic electrophilic brominating reagent has several drawbacks. Alternative reagents were reported in the literature, for example, cupric bromide [5], dioxane dibromide [6], tetrabutyl ammonium tribromide [7], H₂O₂-HBr [8], bromodimethyl sulfoniumbromide [9], ethylene bis(N-methyl imidazolium) ditribromide [10], trihaloisocyanuric acids [11], pyridinium bromochromate [12], and NH₄Br-oxone [13]. In addition, a popular and superior brominating agent such as N-bromosuccinimide [14] was utilized for α-bromination of carbonyl compounds using a radical initiator such as azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) or dibenzoyl peroxide (BPO) [15] and, later, it has been demonstrated that the reactivity of NBS could be modulated with ionic liquids [16], photochemical energy [17]; sonochemical energy [18], solvent free reaction conditions (SFRC) [19] and various catalysts such as Mg(ClO₄)₂ [20], NH₄OAc [21], amberlyst-15 [22], silica supported NaHCO₃ [23], sulfonic acid functionalized silica [24], FeCl₃ [25], montmorillonite-K10 [26], and Silica gel [27]. NBS also is utilized for ring or nuclear bromination using various catalysts such as H₂SO₄-CF₃CO₂H [28], p-toluenesulfonic acid [29], dibromodimethylhydantoin in aqueous base [30], amberlyst [31], and HZSM-5 [32].

It is well recognized that solids play a significant role in the development of cleaner technologies through their abilities to act as catalysts, support reagents, entrain by-products, and influence product selectivity, and several books on the applications of solids in organic synthesis have appeared [33–35]. However, the catalysts and any accompanying reagent used along with N-bromosuccinimide should be easily available to develop simple and efficient bromination procedure. Alumina (Al₂O₃) has been used as a catalyst [36] in a wide variety of industrial processes for many years [37]. But Alumina (Al₂O₃) has limited catalytic applications in synthetic organic chemistry [38]. However, on deep investigation it is found that aralkyl ketones with moderate activating/moderate or high deactivating groups undergo exclusively α-bromination in the presence of acidic alumina in methanol, while substrates with high activating groups undergo nuclear bromination predominantly in the presence of neutral alumina in acetonitrile at reflux temperature, as shown in Scheme 1

Scheme 1: Substrate directed regioselective synthesis of monobrominated aralkyl ketones.

Plausible mechanism for bromination of aralkyl ketones containing moderate activating/deactivating groups may be involved in the exclusive formation of enolic form of ketone in presence of acidic Al₂O₃ aids predominant formation of α-brominated product (2). In addition, acidic Al₂O₃ may enhance the rate of release of bromonium ion from NBS and subsequent capture of bromonium ion by nucleophilic solvent such as methanol leads to rapid completion of the reaction (10–15 min) as shown in Scheme 2.

Scheme 2: Plausible mechanism for α-bromination.

In contrast, aralkylketones containing high electron donating groups may be susceptible to rapid activation of the aromatic ring of substrate and rapid release of bromonium ion from NBS via surface interaction with neutral Al₂O₃ which leads to exclusive formation of nuclear brominated product (4) in acetonitrile based on substrate employed and the catalyst may assist in abstracting the proton during the course of bromination as shown in Scheme 3.

Scheme 3: Plausible mechanism for nuclear functionalization.

2. Results and Discussion

Initially, two types of substrates were selected for optimization of reaction conditions using N-bromosuccinimide in presence of either acidic or neutral Al₂O3. Accordingly, acetophenone and 4′-hydroxy acetophenone were utilized for the evaluation of reaction conditions such as effect of solvent, temperature, catalyst, and catalyst load and the obtained results are discussed below.

The effect of catalyst on the course of bromination of acetophenone was studied and the obtained results were summarized in Table 1. It was observed that acidic Al₂O₃ (entry 3, Table 1) provided better yields of desired α-brominated product (2a) compared to neutral Al₂O₃ (entry 5) in methanol at reflux temperature. It might be attributed that acidic nature of Al₂O₃ may enhance the formation of enol form of substrate and subsequent bromination also. In addition, acidic nature of catalyst might boost the rate of release of bromonium ion from N-bromosuccinimide followed by the capture of bromonium ion by nucleophilic solvent such as methanol. Reuse of acidic Al₂O₃ provided 89%, 86%, 81%, and 72% yields of product (2a) for first, second, third, and fourth time, respectively.

Table 1: Exploring of catalyst and other reaction conditions for α-bromination of 1a using NBSa.

Entry
Catalyst
Temp/°C
Time/h
Product
Yieldb/%
Selectivity/%

2a : 3a : 

1

1
—

—
32
24
—
—

0
—

—

2

65
24
—
—
—

3
Acidic Al₂O₃
32
1.3
2a
61
61 : 18 : 21

4
Acidic Al₂O₃
65
0.1
2a
89
89 : 08 : 03

5
Neutral Al₂O₃
32
2.0
2a
48
48 : 19 : 33

6
Neutral Al₂O₃
65
0.12
2a
66
66 : 12 : 22

Reaction conditions: acetophenone 1a (10 mmol), N-bromosuccinimide (12 mmol), 10% (w/w) catalyst, and methanol (20 vol) at reflux temperature.

Isolated yield of product 2a.

Unreacted acetophenone.

We also studied the effect of acidic Al₂O₃ catalyst load on the course of α-bromination. Towards this direction, 5%, 10%, and 15% of catalyst (w/w) was applied and the obtained yields of product 2a were 71%, 89%, and 78%, respectively. The study revealed that 10% (w/w) of acidic Al₂O₃ is optimum for better isolated yield of product 2a.

Later, we focused on the optimization of other reaction parameters such as effect of solvent in presence of 10% of acidic Al₂O₃. Consequently, the effect of solvents on the course of α-bromination was studied using different types of solvents and the obtained results were presented in Table 2. For example MeOH, EtOH, H₂O, CH₃CN, THF, CH₂Cl₂, are CHCl₃ were provided 89%, 74%, 15%, 51%, 56%, 44%, 55%, and 48% yields of desired product 2a, respectively. Interestingly, a high yield (89%) of product 2a was obtained when methanol was used as solvent (entry 1, Table 1).

Table 2: Effect of solvent on α-bromination of acetophenonea.

Entry
Solvent
Time/min
Product
Yieldb/%

1
MeOH
10
2a
89

2
EtOH
40
2a
74

3
H₂O
24 hrs
2a
15

4
CH₃CN
60
2a
51

c5
dEther
30
2a
56

6
dTHF
65
2a
44

7
CH₂Cl₂
180
2a
55

8
CHCl₃
120
2a
48

Reaction conditions: acetophenone 1a (10 mmol), N-bromosuccinimide (12 mmol), 10% (w/w) acidic Al₂O₃, and solvent (20 vol) at reflux temperature.

bIsolated yield.

cReaction was conducted at 32°C.

dFreshly distilled ether and THF were used (peroxide free).

As evident from the literature [26], portion wise addition of N-bromosuccinimide caused to control the release of bromonium ion and it provided improved yields of α-brominated product (2a). The same was implemented in the present investigation and N-bromosuccinimide was added portion wise (10 portions). As a consequence, the isolated yield of product 2a was improved up to 89% compared to one time NBS addition, which provided lower yield (74%) of product 2a.

With the help of optimized reaction conditions, further scope and generality of the α-bromination was tested by utilizing a series of aralkyl ketones containing moderate activating/deactivating groups and highly deactivating groups in presence of acidic Al₂O₃ in methanol and the obtained results were presented in Table 3. It was found that presence of moderate activating and deactivating groups on phenyl ring of aralkylketones favors the α-bromination (entries 1–10 and 11, Table 3 and entries 1 and 2, Table 4) with excellent isolated yields of desired product(s), whilst presence of highly deactivating groups provided lower yields of product (entries 12 and 13, Table 3). Fascinatingly, α-brominated product (2k) was formed exclusively even though 4′-methoxyacetophenone contains high activating group (-OMe) (entry 11, Table 3).

Table 3: α-Bromination of acetophenone derivative(s) containing moderate activating/deactivating or high deactivating groupsa.

Entry
Substrate (1)
Product (2)
Time/min
Yieldb/%
Selectivity/%

2 : 3 : 
Lit. Ref.

R′
R

1
H  

1a
H
2a
10
89
89 : 09 : 02
[26]

2
H  
Me

1b
2b
10
74
74 : 22 : 04
[26]

3
2′-Me  

1c
H
2c
12
86
86 : 08 : 06
[26]

4
3′-Me  

1d
H
2d
11
88
88 : 05 : 07
[26]

5
4′-Me  

1e
H
2e
10
90
90 : 06 : 04
[26]

6
4′-Et  

1f
H
2f
12
85
85 : 09 : 06
[26]

7
4′-CN  

1g
H
2g
9
73
73 : 11 : 16
[39]

8
3′-Cl  

1h
H
2h
7
76
76 : 10 : 14
[26]

9
4′-Cl  

1i
H
2i
9
92
92 : 05 : 03
[26]

10
4′-Br  

1j
H
2j
9
87
87 : 08 : 05
[26]

11
4′-MeO

1k
H
2k
6
72
72 : 19 : 09
[26]

d12
3′-NO₂  

1l
H
2l
11
41
41 : 19 : 40
[26]

d13
4′-NO₂  

1m
H
2m
14
49
49 : 16 : 35
[26]

Reaction conditions: 1 (10 mmol), N-bromosuccinimide (12 mmol), and 10% (w/w) acidic Al₂O₃ in methanol (20 mL) at reflux temperature.

Isolated yield.

Unreacted substrate.

5% acidic Al₂O3 was applied.

Table 4: α-Bromination of acenaphthonea.

Entry
Substrate (1)
Product (2)
Time (min)
Yieldb/%
Selectivity/%

2 : 3 : 
Lit. Ref.

1

14
84
84 : 11 : 05
[26]

2

11
91
91 : 06 : 03
[26]

Reaction conditions: acenaphthone 1 (10 mmol), N-bromosuccinimide (12 mmol), and 10% acidic Al₂O₃ in methanol (20 mL) at reflux temperature.

Isolated yield of desired product(s).

Unreacted substrate.

Acenaphthones(s) were subjected to bromination using N-bromosuccinimide in presence of acidic Al₂O₃ in methanol at reflux temperature and they provided respective α-brominated products (2n and 2o, entries 1 and 2, Table 4) exclusively. The obtained results were presented in Table 4.

In continuation of our agenda to explore the effect of Alumina catalyst on different types of substrates, we focused on the effect of neutral alumina on the course of bromination. As a result, we selected 4′-hydroxy acetophenone (1p) as model substrate and the reaction conditions were optimized with respect to it. The obtained results were presented in Table 5.

Table 5: Exploring of suitable catalyst for nuclear brominationa.

Entry
Catalyst
Temp/°C
Time/h
Product
Yieldb/%
Selectivity

4a : 5a :

1

1
—

—
32
24
—
—

0
—

—

2
—
65
24
—
—
—

3
Acidic Al₂O₃
32
2
4a
43
43 : 16 : 41

4
Acidic Al₂O₃
65
0.3
4a
58
58 : 22 : 20

5
Neutral Al₂O₃
32
1.5
4a
62
62 : 21 : 17

6
Neutral Al₂O₃
65
0.12
4a
86
86 : 12 : 02

Reaction conditions: 4′-hydroxy acetophenone 1p (10 mmol), N-bromosuccinimide (12 mmol), 10% (w/w) catalyst, and methanol (20 mL) at reflux temperature.

Isolated yield.

Unreacted 4′-hydroxy acetophenone (1p).

When we applied neutral Al₂O₃ (entry 6, Table 5) for bromination reaction of 4′-hydroxy acetophenone (1p), good yield of nuclear brominated product (4a) was obtained compared to acidic Al₂O₃ (entry 4, Table 5) in methanol at reflux temperature. It may be attributed that acidic Al₂O₃ might deactivate the electron donating efficiency of high activating groups. In contrast, neutral Al₂O₃ might facilitate the activation of the aromatic ring of aralkyl ketone as well as the rate of formation of bromonium ion from NBS via surface interaction with reactants.

To improve the yields of product 4a further, we have studied the effect of solvent on the course of bromination and the obtained results were depicted in Table 6. Solvents such as MeOH, EtOH, H₂O, CH₃CN, THF, CH₂Cl₂, and CHCl₃ were provided 86%, 61%, 22%, 94%, 48%, 40%, 30%, and 34% yields of desired product 4a, respectively. The solvent study disclosed that acetonitrile is the best to obtain maximum yield (94%) of the product 4a (entry 4, Table 6) compared to methanol (86%) (entry 1, Table 6). Reuse of catalyst provided 94%, 89%, 80%, and 74% yields of product (4a) for first, second, third, and fourth time, respectively.

Table 6: Effect of solvent on nuclear bromination of 4′-Hydroxy acetophenone (1p)a.

Entry
Solvent
Time/min
Product
Yieldb/%

1
MeOH
12
4a
86

2
EtOH
60
4a
61

3
H₂O
24 hrs
4a
22

4
CH₃CN
14
4a
94

c5
dEther
45
4a
48

6
dTHF
75
4a
40

7
CH₂Cl₂
150
4a
30

8
CHCl₃
90
4a
34

Reaction conditions: 4′-hydroxy acetophenone 1p (10 mmol), N-bromosuccinimide (12 mmol), 10% (w/w) neutral Al₂O₃, and solvent (20 vol) at reflux temperature.

Isolated yield.

Reaction was conducted at 32°C.

Freshly distilled ether and THF were used (peroxide free).

It was observed that portion wise (10 portions) addition of N-bromosuccinimide provided improved yield (94%) of product 4a compared to one-time addition of N-bromosuccinimide which provided lower yield (65%) of product 4a. The study revealed that the portion wise addition of NBS resulted in improved yields of product 4a.

With the help of optimized reaction conditions further generality of the nuclear bromination was tested with a variety of substrates (1p–r) containing high activating groups in presence of neutral Al₂O₃ in acetonitrile at reflux temperature and the obtained results were summarized in Table 7. It was found that neutral Al₂O₃ provided good yields of nuclear monobrominated products (entries 1–5, Table 7).

Table 7: Nuclear bromination of various aralkyl ketones containing high activating groupsa.

Entry
Substrate
Product
Time/min
Yieldb/%

R
R′′

1
H
OH  

1p
4a
12
94

2
OH  

1q
H
4b
11
68

3
NH₂  

1r
H
4c
18
72

4
H
NH₂  

1s
4d
13
94

5
H
OMe  

1k
4e
15
91

c6
H
OH  

1p
5a
20
99

c7
NH₂  

1r
H
5b
19
98

Reaction conditions: aralkyl ketone(s) 1p–r (10 mmol), N-bromosuccinimide (12 mmol), and 10% (w/w) neutral Al₂O₃ in acetonitrile (20 mL) at reflux temperature.

bIsolated yield.

c22 mmol of NBS was utilized.

Excess use of N-bromosuccinimide (24 mmol) provided excellent yields of nuclear dibrominated products 5a and 5b (entries 6 and 7, Table 7). The 4′-methoxy acetophenone (1k) in acetonitrile solvent in presence of neutral Al₂O₃ provided exclusively nuclear brominated product 5e instead of 2k.

Encouraged by the above fruitful results, we attempted to prepare 1-(3,5-bis(benzyloxy) phenyl)-2-bromoethanone (2p), a key α-brominated intermediate product in the synthesis of terbutaline sulphate drug starting from the substrate, 3′,5′-dibenzyloxy acetophenone (1s).

Interestingly, we obtained 95–98% yields of mononuclear brominated product of 1-(3,5-bis(benzyloxy)-4-bromophenyl)ethanone (4f) exclusively both in presence of acidic Al₂O₃ in methanol and neutral Al₂O₃ in acetonitrile as depicted in Scheme 4.

Scheme 4: Nuclear bromination of 3,5-dibenzyloxy acetophenone (1s).

3. Conclusion

In summation, we demonstrated that using Al₂O₃ as catalyst, monobromination of various aralkyl ketones was achieved in high yield with high substrate directed regioselectivity (α-bromination versus nuclear bromination) using NBS. The α-bromination was the exclusive process when aralkyl ketones containing moderate activating/deactivating groups were subjected to bromination under acidic Al₂O₃ conditions in methanol at reflux while nuclear functionalization was predominant when aralkyl ketones containing high activating groups were utilized for bromination in presence of neutral Al₂O₃ conditions in acetonitrile at reflux temperature. Thus, our new protocol offers safe operational procedure, short reaction time (10–20 min), and use of inexpensive and recyclable catalyst for 3 times without loss of activity.

4. Experimental

4.1. General

All chemicals used were reagent grade and were used as received without further purification. Ketones were purchased from Acros, Merck, and SD Fine Chemicals Ltd., Mumbai, India and Avra Laboratories Ltd., Hyderabad, India. N-bromosuccinimide was purchased from Merck. Methanol (99.0%) was purchased from SD Fine Chemicals Ltd. EtOAc was purchased from Merck. The double distilled millipore deionized water was used for work up. Melting points were determined in open capillaries on REMI melting point apparatus and were uncorrected. ¹H NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian 400 MHz. Chemical shifts were expressed in parts per million (ppm). Splitting patterns describe apparent multiplicities and are designated as s (singlet), d (doublet), t (triplet), q (quartet), m (multiplet), or br (broad). Mass spectra (MS) are acquired on agilent, model-6410, Triple Quad LC MS. Thin-layer chromatography was performed on 0.25 mm Merck silica gel plates (60F-254) and visualized with UV light. Column chromatography was performed on silica gel (finer than 200 mesh, Merck).

4.2. Active Al 2O 3 Catalyst Specification(s)

4.2.1. Acidic Al₂O 3

Acidic Al₂O₃ is commercially available (Merck made) and has the following characteristics (i) White crystalline solid, (ii) pH value (10% aqueous suspension) is 4-5; (iii) active according to Brockmann for column chromatography.

4.2.2. Neutral Al₂O 3

Neutral Al₂O₃ is commercially available (Fisher made) and has the following characteristics (i) White crystalline solid, (ii) pH value (10% aqueous suspension) is 6.8–7.8; (iii) active according to Brockmann for column chromatography.

4.3. General Experimental Procedure for α-Bromination

In a 100 mL RB flask fitted with condenser, the aralkylketone 1a (10 mmol), 10% (w/w) active Al₂O₃ catalyst, and methanol (20 vol) were added. The temperature of the reaction mass was raised to reflux. Then, N-bromosuccinimide (12 mmol) was added portion wise (10 portions). After completion of the reaction, as monitored by TLC (mobile phase is a mixture of 5 mL n-hexane and 3 drops of EtOAc; Caution: there is need to run TLC for 3–5 times for clear distinction between mono versus dibrominated products), the reaction mixture was filtered to collect the catalyst and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. Water (100 mL) was added to the reaction mass and the formed α-brominated product was extracted thrice with EtOAc (3 × 50 mL). Layers were separated and the organic layer was collected and then washed thrice with water (3 × 50 mL). The organic layer was collected and dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and the solvent was removed using rotary evaporator. Pure α-brominated product (2a) was obtained from crude residue after purification by column chromatography over silica gel using a mixture of n-hexane and EtOAc (99 : 1 ratio).

4.4. General Experimental Procedure for Nuclear Bromination

In a 100 mL RB flask fitted with condenser, the aralkylketone 1p (10 mmol), 10% (w/w) neutral Al₂O₃ catalyst, and acetonitrile (20 vol) were added. The temperature of the reaction mass was raised to reflux. Then, N-bromosuccinimide (12 mmol) was added portion wise (10 portions). After completion of the reaction, as monitored by TLC (mobile phase is a mixture of 5 mL n-hexane and 3 drops of EtOAc; caution: there is need to run TLC for 3–5 times for clear distinction between mono- versus dibrominated products), the reaction mixture was filtered to collect the catalyst and the solvent was removed under vacuum. Water (100 mL) was added to the reaction mass and the formed nuclear brominated product was extracted thrice with EtOAc (3 × 50 mL). Layers were separated and the organic layer was collected and it was washed thrice with water (3 × 50 mL). The organic layer was collected and dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and the solvent was removed using rotary evaporator. Pure nuclear brominated product (4a) was obtained from crude residue after purification by column chromatography over silica gel using a mixture of n-hexane and EtOAc (99 : 1 ratio).

4.5. Physical and Spectral Characterization Data

4.5.1. 2-Bromo-1-phenyl Ethanone (2a)

Off-white solid, yield: 89%; m.p. 48–50°C; FT-IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3085.6, 2999.6, 1694.3, 1589.7, 1485.8, 1283.6, 1198.8, 811.8, 665.7, 548.1. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.00–8.10 (2H, m, arom H), 7.43–7.78 (3H, m, arom H), 4.50 (2H, s, –CH₂). MS (ESI) m/z 199.05 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 201.1 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.2. 2-Bromo-1-phenylpropan-1-one (2b)

Colorless liquid, yield: 74%; b.p. 247–251°C; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.10 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 7.72–7.64 (1H, m, arom H), 7.50−7.60 (2H, m, arom H), 5.30 (1H, q, J = 6.8 Hz, alkyl H), 2.10 (3H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, –CH₃); MS (ESI) m/z 213.03 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 215.2 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.3. 2-Bromo-1-o-tolylethanone (2c)

Colorless liquid, yield: 86%; b.p. 81–83°C; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.10 (1H, d, arom H, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.70 (1H, t, J = 7.6 Hz, arom H), 7.40 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 7.10 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, arom H), 4.50 (2H, s, –CH₂), 2.50 (3H, s, –CH₃); MS (ESI): m/z 212.96 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 214.97 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.4. 2-Bromo-1-m-tolylethanone (2d)

Colorless liquid, yield: 88%; b.p. 234°C; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 7.83 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, arom H), 7.58 (1H, s, arom H), 7.35 (1H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, arom H), 7.10 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 4.60 (2H, s, –CH₂), 2.48 (3H, s, –CH₃); MS (ESI): m/z 213.15 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 215.1 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.5. 2-Bromo-1-p-tolylethanone (2e)

Off-white solid, yield: 90%, m.p. 51–53°C. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 7.65 (2H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, arom H), 7.00 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 4.70 (2H, s, –CH₂), 2.54 (3H, s, –CH₃); MS (ESI): m/z 212.89 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 214.81 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.6. 2-Bromo-1-(4-ethylphenyl)ethanone (2f)

Colorless liquid, yield: 85%; b.p. 288.5°C. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 7.45 (2H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, arom H), 7.20 (2H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, arom H), 4.60 (2H, s, –CH₂), 2.64 (2H, q, J = 7.6 Hz, –CH₂), 1.54 (3H, t, J = 6.8 Hz, –CH₃); MS (ESI): m/z 226.95 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 229.08 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.7. 4-(2-Bromoacetyl)benzonitrile (2g)

Off-white solid, yield: 73%, m.p. 90–92°C. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.24 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 7.91 (2H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, arom H), 4.32 (2H, s, –CH₂); MS (ESI): m/z 224.15 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 226.01 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.8. 2-Bromo-1-(3-chlorophenyl)ethanone (2h)

Off-white solid, yield: 76%; m.p. 39–42°C. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.35 (1H, s, arom H), 7.78–7.88 (2H, m, arom H), 7.40 (1H, t, J = 8.0 Hz, arom H), 4.68 (2H, s, –CH₂); MS (ESI): m/z 233.12 [+H, ⁷⁹Br ³⁵Cl], 235.1 [+H+2, ⁷⁹Br ³⁷Cl or ⁸¹Br ³⁵Cl], 237.20 [+H+4, ⁸¹Br, ³⁷Cl].

4.5.9. 2-Bromo-1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethanone (2i)

Off-white solid, yield: 92%, m.p. 94–96°C. FT-IR (KBr, cm⁻¹) 3000.9, 2947.9, 1689.8, 1625.5, 1384.8, 1267.5, 853.3, 679.8, 564.8. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.12 (2H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, arom H), 7.72 (2H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, arom H), 4.52 (2H, s, –CH₂); MS (ESI): m/z 233.01 [+H, ⁷⁹Br ³⁵Cl], 234.90 [+H+2, ⁷⁹Br ³⁷Cl or ⁸¹Br ³⁵Cl], 237.00 [+H+4, ⁸¹Br, ³⁷Cl].

4.5.10. 2-Bromo-1-(4-bromophenyl)ethanone (2j)

Off-white solid,yield: 87%; m.p. 108–110°C; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 7.90 (2H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, arom H), 7.64 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 4.48 (2H, s, –CH₂); MS (ESI): m/z 278.1 [+H, 2 ⁷⁹Br], 279.88 [+H+2, ⁷⁹Br ⁸¹Br], 282.02 [+H+4, 2 ⁸¹Br].

4.5.11. 2-Bromo-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethanone (2k)

Off-white solid, yield: 72%; m.p. 70–72%; FT-IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3098, 2938.2, 1688.8, 1600, 1509.1, 1326.2, 1263.7, 1021.4, 817.8, 687.3, 557.8; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 7.95 (2H, d, J = 7.4 Hz, arom H), 6.95 (2H, d, J = 7.4 Hz, arom H), 4.40 (2H, s, –CH₂), 3.90 (3H, s, –CH₃). MS (ESI) m/z 229.0 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 231.01 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.12. 2-Bromo-1-(3-nitrophenyl)ethanone (2l)

Yellowish solid, yield: 41%; m.p. 93–96°C; FT-IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3049, 2947, 1669, 1605.5, 1489.4, 1159.5, 929.6, 853.1, 679.3, 564.5; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.70 (1H, s, arom H), 8.35–8.55 (2H, m, arom H), 7.80–7.90 (1H, m, arom H), 4.40 (2H, s, –CH₂); MS (ESI): m/z 244.05 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 246.12 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.13. 2-Bromo-1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethanone (2m)

Yellowish solid, yield: 49%; m.p. 99–102°C; FT-IR (KBr, cm⁻¹) 3088, 2992, 1690, 1523, 1347, 1195, 813.2, 729, 618, 490; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.21 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 8.61 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 4.41 (2H, s, –CH₂); MS (ESI): m/z 244.1 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 245.97 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.14. 2-Bromo-1-(naphthalen-1-yl)ethanone (2n)

Brownish liquid, yield: 84%; b.p. 348.5°C; FT-IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3049.9, 2948, 1689.8, 1625.4, 1469.3, 1174.6, 1126.9, 1029.5, 853.3, 811.6, 564.7; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.75 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 7.95–8.19 (4H, m, arom H), 7.65–7.75 (2H, m, arom H), 4.70 (2H, s, –CH₂); MS (ESI): m/z 249.0 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 251.1 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.15. 2-Bromo-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)ethanone (2o)

Pale yellowish solid, yield: 91%; m.p. 81–83°C; FT-IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3088.2, 2997.4, 1702.4, 1610.2, 1434.7, 1199.8, 1082.9, 873.4, 818.2, 739.3, 618.8; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.80 (1H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, arom H), 7.95–8.19 (4H, m, arom H), 7.60–7.78 (2H, m, arom H), 4.30 (2H, s, –CH₂); MS (ESI): m/z 249.1 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 251.05 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.16.,2-Dibromo-1-phenylethanone (3a)

Colorless liquid, yield: 8–10%; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.1–8.15 (2H, m, arom H), 7.51–7.81 (3H, m, arom H), 6.60 (1H, s, –CH); MS (ESI): m/z 277.03 [+H, 2 ⁷⁹Br], 278.920 [+H+2, ⁷⁹Br, ⁸¹Br], 281.01 [+H+4, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.17. 1-(3-Bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone (4a)

Off-white solid, yield: 94%; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.18 (1H, s, arom H), 7.95 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 7.22 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 5.42 (1H, s, OH), 2.58 (3H, s, –CH₃); MS (ESI): m/z 215.1 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 217.08 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.18. 1-(5-Bromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone (4b)

Off-white solid, yield: 68%; m.p. 43–45°C; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 12.10 (1H, s, –OH), 8.2 (1H, s, arom H), 8.02 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 7.22 (1H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, arom H), 2.62 (3H, s, –CH₃); MS (ESI): m/z 215.21 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 216.94 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br]

4.5.19. 1-(2-Amino-5-bromophenyl)ethanone (4c)

Off-white solid, yield: 72%; m.p. 83–85°C; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.03 (1H, s, arom H), 7.58 (1H, d, J = 6.8 Hz, arom H), 7.13 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 6.42 (2H, s, –NH₂), 2.7 (3H, s, –CH₃); MS (ESI): m/z 214.09 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 215.89 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.20. 1-(4-Amino-5-bromophenyl)ethanone (4d)

Off-white solid, yield: 94%; m.p. 155–157°C; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.15 (1H, s, arom H); 7.82 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 6.98 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 6.23 (2H, bs, –NH₂), 2.7 (3H, s, –CH₃); MS (ESI): m/z 214.1 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 215.89 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.21. 1-(3-Bromo-4-methoxyphenyl)ethanone (4e)

Off-white solid, yield: 91%; m.p. 70–72°C; FT-IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3098, 2938.2, 2840, 1688.8, 1600, 1509.1, 1326.2, 1263.7, 1207.5, 1168.3, 1021.4, 940.8, 817.8, 687.3, 580.1, 557.8; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 8.1 (1H, s, arom H), 7.83 (1H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, arom H), 6.95 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, arom H), 4.01 (3H, s, –CH₃), 2.71 (3H, s, –CH₃); MS (ESI) m/z: 229.0 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 231.06 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.22. 1-(3,5-Bis(benzyloxy)-2-bromophenyl)ethanone (4f)

Off-white solid, yield: 98%; m.p. 83–85°C; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 7.45–7.25 (10H, m, arom H), 7.59 (1H, s, arom H), 7.68 (1H, s, arom H), 5.02 (2H, s, –CH₂), 5.14 (2H, s, –CH₂), 2.6 (3H, s, –CH₃); MS (ESI): m/z 411.00 [+H, ⁷⁹Br], 412.93 [+H+2, ⁸¹Br].

4.5.23. 1-(3,5-Dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone (5a)

Off-white solid, yield: 99%; m.p. 184–188°C; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 9.86 (1H, s, –OH), 8.10 (2H, s, arom H), 2.60 (3H, s, –CH₃); MS (ESI): m/z 293.01 [+H, 2 ⁷⁹Br], 294.89 [+H+2, ⁷⁹Br ⁸¹Br], 297.09 [+H +4, 2 ⁸¹Br].

4.5.24. 1-(2-Amino-3,5-dibromophenyl)ethanone (5b)

Off-white solid, yield: 98%; m.p. 121–123°C; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃, δ/ppm): 7.81 (1H, s, arom H), 7.69 (1H, s, arom H), 6.82 (2H, bs, –NH₂), 2.59 (3H, s, –CH₃); MS (ESI): m/z 293.01 [+H, 2 ⁷⁹Br], 294.89 [+H+2, ⁷⁹Br ⁸¹Br], 297.1 [+H+4, 2 ⁸¹Br].

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgment

This work has been supported financially by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, Government of India through a major research Project (no. 01 (2391)/10/EMR-II).

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