An efficient, rapid, and regioselective bromination of anilines and phenols with 1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium tribromide as a new reagent/solvent under mild conditions

1-Butyl-3-methylpyridinium tribromide, [BMPy]Br3 proves to be a highly efficient, regioselective reagent/solvent for nuclear bromination of various anilines and phenols. The synthesis and characterization of the room temperature ionic liquid [BMPy]Br3 (2) is described. The bromination was carried out in the absence of organic solvents and in most cases the only extraction solvent needed was water. The spent 1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium bromide (1) was easily recycled.