Bromobenzenes

Bromobenzene is an aryl halide, C6H5Br. It is a colourless liquid although older samples can appear yellow. It is a reagent in organic synthesis. Bromobenzene is an aryl halide, C6H5Br. It is a colourless liquid although older samples can appear yellow. It is a reagent in organic synthesis. Bromobenzene is prepared by the action of bromine on benzene in the presence of Lewis acid catalysts such as ferric bromide. Bromobenzene is used to introduce a phenyl groups into other compounds. One method involves its conversion to the Grignard reagent, phenylmagnesium bromide. This reagent can be used, e.g. in the reaction with carbon dioxide to prepare benzoic acid. Other methods involve palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions such as the Suzuki reaction. Bromobenzene is used as a precursor in the manufacture of phencyclidine. Animal tests indicate low toxicity. Little is known about chronic effects. For liver toxicity, the 3,4-epoxide are proposed intermediates.