Recent advances in the application of tetrabromomethane in organic synthesis

Abstract

Tetrabromomethane (CBr₄) is a multitasking agent and can be utilized as a catalyst, mediator and reagent in the synthesis of value-added chemicals, natural products, pharmaceuticals and materials. CBr₄, as the catalyst, is complementary to transition-metal-catalysis, and use as the reagent is advantageous due to easy handling and bench stability. The synthetic applications involving CBr₄ have made considerable progress for diverse organic synthesis. This review covers the developments in synthetic advances establishing CBr₄ as an important feedstock for organic transformations with emphasis on the mechanism from 2007 to October 2020.