Combining Eosin y with Selectfluor: A Regioselective Brominating System for Para-Bromination of Aniline Derivatives

A mild, metal-free, and absolutely para-selective bromination of aniline derivatives has been developed in excellent yields, wherein the organic dye Eosin Y is employed as the bromine source in company with Selectfluor. Neither air nor moisture sensitive, this facile reaction proceeds smoothly at room temperature and completes within a short time. Mechanistic studies indicate a radical pathway; therefore, the existence of an in situ generated brominating reagent, "Selectbrom", is postulated, which may reasonably account for the unique regioselectivity for the para-bromination of N-acyl- as well as N-sulfonylanilines.