Catalytic Bromination of Alkyl sp3C–H Bonds with KBr/Air under Visible Light

Alkyl sp3C–H bonds of cycloalkanes and functional branch/linear alkanes have been successfully brominated with KBr using air or O2 as an oxidant at room temperature to 40 °C. The reactions are carried out in the presence of catalytic NaNO2 in 37% HCl (aq)/solvent under visible light, combining aerobic oxidations and photochemical radical processes. For various alkane substrates, CF3CH2OH, CHCl3, or CH2Cl2 is employed as an organic solvent, respectively, to enhance the efficiency of bromination.