Silver-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Bromination of Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids.

The silver-catalyzed Hunsdiecker bromination of aliphatic carboxylic acids is described. With Ag(Phen)2OTf as the catalyst and dibromoisocyanuric acid as the brominating agent, various aliphatic carboxylic acids underwent decarboxylative bromination to provide the corresponding alkyl bromides under mild conditions. This method not only is efficient and general but also enjoys wide functional group compatibility. An oxidative radical mechanism involving Ag(II) intermediates is proposed.