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Efficient Synthesis of All-Carbon Quaternary Centers via the Conjugate Addition of Functionalized Monoorganozinc Bromides
Published on: May 26, 2019
Redefining N-Bromosuccinimide: Chemistry Beyond Allylic Bromination
Pooja1, Trisha Ghatak2, Ankita1
1Department of Chemistry, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
Chemistry, an Asian Journal
|July 21, 2026
Summary
N-bromoamides, particularly N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), offer safer and more versatile alternatives to molecular bromine for various organic reactions. This review explores NBS applications beyond simple bromination, highlighting its utility in diverse chemical transformations.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Synthetic Chemistry
Background:
- Molecular bromine presents limitations including decomposition, volatility, reactivity, and toxicity.
- N-bromoamides have emerged as safer and more convenient brominating agents.
- N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) is a widely utilized N-bromoamide in laboratory settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse applications of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in organic chemistry.
- To highlight NBS's utility beyond its role as a brominating agent.
- To demonstrate the versatility of NBS in facilitating various chemical transformations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) applications in organic synthesis.
- Categorization of NBS-mediated reactions beyond bromination.
- Analysis of NBS's role in rearrangements, hydrolysis, multicomponent reactions, and more.
Main Results:
- NBS is extensively used in allylic/benzylic bromination and as an electrophilic brominating agent.
- NBS facilitates a wide array of reactions including rearrangements, hydrolysis, multicomponent reactions, C─C bond cleavage, stereoselective synthesis, oxidation, catalysis, aromatization, and one-pot tandem reactions.
- The review showcases NBS's broad applicability and versatility in organic synthesis.
Conclusions:
- N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) is a highly versatile reagent in organic chemistry.
- NBS offers significant advantages over molecular bromine for numerous synthetic applications.
- The diverse reactivity of NBS extends far beyond its conventional brominating capabilities.
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