Functionalization of saturated hydrocarbons by aprotic superacids 4. Ionic bromination of ethane and other alkanes and cycloalkanes with molecular bromine in the presence of systems based on polyhalomethanes and AlBr3 under mild conditions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/BF01431609

Aprotic organic superacids CBr₄ · 2AlBr₃, CBr₄ · AlBr₃, · CCl₄ · 2AlBr₃, CCl₄ · 2AlBr₃, and C₆F₅CF₃ · 2AlBr₃ efficiently catalyze the bromination of alkanes and cycloalkanes with Br₂. Ethane is selectively brominated at 55-65 °C to give mostly 1,2-dibromoethane (stoichiometric reaction). Propane, butane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, and methyl-cyclopentane react with Br₂ at -40 to -20 °C with good selectivity affording monobromides in high yields (catalytic reactions).