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

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.