Selenium species-catalyzed biomimetic halogenations of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds

Herein, we report our investigations on the biomimetic bromofunctionalization of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds using NaBr as a source of bromine, 30% (w/v) H₂O₂ as an oxidant, and SeCl₄ as a commercially available catalyst in water without a co-solvent. Under these mild conditions, brominated (hetero)aromatic compounds were obtained in reasonable yields. In addition, ⁷⁷Se NMR experiments were performed to provide experimental support for the proposed mechanism of the developed halofunctionalization reaction.