Polyvinylpyrrolidone-bromine complex: An efficient polymeric reagent for selective preparation of benzyl bromides in the presence of hexamethyldisilane

Benzylic bromides were conveniently obtained in high yields via the reaction of the corresponding alcohols with crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone-bromine complex (PVPP-Br2)/hexamethyldisilane in chloroform at reflux condition. Selective conversion of benzyl alcohol to benzyl bromide in the presence of primary aliphatic alcohols, e.g. 2-phenylethanol was also achieved. KEY WORDS: Polyvinylpyrrolidone-bromine, Benzyl bromide, Hexamethyldisilane, Selective bromination Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2012, 26(2), 305-309. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v26i2.14