Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-bromine complex; a mild and efficient reagent for selective bromination of alkenes and oxidation of alcohols

Abstract

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-bromine complex (PVP-Br2) is easily prepared and used as a mild and convenient reagent for selective bromination of alkenes and at the position α-hydrogen of active carbonyl compounds. Selective oxidation of benzylic alcohols in the presence of aliphatic alcohols were also achieved at room temperature.