A green bromination method for the synthesis of benzylic dibromides

Reported herein is the identification of a new methodology for the dibromination of benzylic diols. This method proceeds in moderate to good yields for a wide variety of electron-deficient, electron-neutral, and electron-rich aromatic substrates. Moreover, the reagent, 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, and the solvent, tetrahydrofuran, are substantially more environmentally benign than traditional solvents and reagents used for bromination. The utility of this methodology was demonstrated in the high-yielding synthesis of a key intermediate in the synthesis of omeprazole.