An Efficient Method for the Preparation of Benzylic Bromides

Substituted benzylic compounds are brominated with an excess of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in CCl4 to the corresponding polybrominated mixtures which are then debrominated with diethyl phosphite and N,N-diisopropylethylamine to afford the desired monobromides in satisfactory yields and high purity.