Process for the preparation of para-nitrobenzyl bromide

摘要

An improved process for the preparation of p-nitrobenzyl bromide from p-nitrotoluene is disclosed wherein large excess of the reactant in carbon tetrachloride is treated with 2:1 bromide-bromate reagent and the product is isolated efficiently and with high purity through selective cold crystallization from reaction mass so as to allow the mother liquor to be recycled in a subsequent batch without any further work up. The cycles are continued so long as product of desired quality is obtained in adequate yield. Thereafter, the solvent and p-nitrotoluene are recovered from the mother liquor and the residue is treated with sodium borohydride to convert impurities back into reactant or product which is then recycled in the process thereby circumventing the problem of waste disposal and simultaneously yielding the desired product with >95 % yield with respect to p-nitrotoluene and >88 % bromine atom efficiency.