The reaction of tetrabutylammonium tribromide (TBABr3) with phenols and aromatic amines in aprotic and non-basic solvents at 20 °C gives exclusively the corresponding para-brominated compounds in high yields. A mechanism involving electrophilic substitution by the tribromide anion Br3− itself is suggested to account for the results, especially the regioselective para bromination. Keywords: bromination, tetrabutylammonium tribromide, phenols, aromatic amines.
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