Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026

A Scalable Balz-Schiemann Reaction Protocol in a Continuous Flow Reactor
Published on: February 10, 2023
Safe generation and use of bromine azide under continuous flow conditions--selective 1,2-bromoazidation of olefins
David Cantillo1, Bernhard Gutmann, C Oliver Kappe
1Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, Heinrichstrasse 28, A-8010 Graz, Austria. oliver.kappe@uni-graz.at.
Abstract:
Bromine azide (BrN3), a useful but extremely toxic and explosive reagent for the preparation of vicinal 1,2-bromine azide compounds, was safely generated and reacted in situ with alkenes in a continuous flow photoreactor. BrN3 was generated by a novel procedure from NaBr and NaN3 in water, and efficiently extracted into an organic phase containing the alkene thus avoiding decomposition. The resulting addition products have been used for the preparation of several useful building blocks.
Related Concept Videos
Halogenation of Alkenes
Consider the bromination of cyclopentene. Molecular bromine is polarized in the proximity of the π electrons of cyclopentene. An electrophilic bromine atom adds across the double bond, forming a cyclic bromonium ion intermediate.
α-Bromination of Carboxylic Acids: Hell–Volhard–Zelinski Reaction
Radical Substitution: Allylic Bromination
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Fluorination and Iodination of Benzene
Radical Anti-Markovnikov Addition to Alkenes: Overview
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Chlorination and Bromination of Benzene

