KH2PO4 as a novel catalyst for regioselective monobromination of aralkyl ketones using N-bromosuccinimide: a green methodology

A simple, regioselective and green method has been developed for the preparation of monobrominated ketones from various aralkyl ketones by using N-bromosuccinimide in presence of KH 2PO 4 in EtOH at reflux temperature. The present method is of short reaction time and simple with excellent isolated yields of products. The use of eco-friendly solvent, reuse of organic waste (succinimide) and recyclable catalyst used for 4 times without loss of activity are advantageous. This is the first example of the use of KH 2PO 4 as a useful catalyst in organohalogen chemistry and the present method meets reduce-reuse-recycle (RRR) principle towards development of green protocol.