α-Bromoacetate as a Mild and Safe Brominating Agent in the Light-Driven Vicinal Dibromination of Unactivated Alkene and Alkynes

Light-induced vicinal dibromination of unactivated alkenes and alkyne has been demonstrated by using methyl alpha-bromoacetate as a mild brominating agent. Near-visible light (370 nm) light-emitting diode (LED) mediates this simple dibromination reaction under mild conditions with the inexpensive and non-toxic -bromoacetate. The reaction proceeds well with both terminal and internal alkenes and alkynes, and those contained in natural products and N/O-heterocycles, indicating its versatility in synthesizing dibrominated organic compounds.