A continuous flow approach for the desulfurative bromination of sulfides

The preparation of alkyl bromides is a pivotal transformation in organic chemistry. The wide range of applications that bromides have as building blocks render this class of compounds a privileged motif widely used in the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Traditionally prepared from the deoxygenation of alcohols, alkyl bromides have been recently obtained from sulfides in high yields, a transformation we have named desulfurative bromination. In order to improve the efficiency of this transformation, we report herein the investigation and optimisation of a continuous flow strategy. The influence of the flow rate; role of the brominating agent; and substrate scope have been studied delivering an in-flow protocol to access multigram quantities of these valuable intermediates. [Display omitted] •Alkyl bromides obtained from sulfides in high yields via desulfurative bromination.•A continuous flow effective strategy was successfully developed.•Optimisation conducted based on flow rate, role of brominating agent and substrate scope.•A broad substrate scope was achieved, producing multigram quantities of bromides.