Nbromosuccimide

N-Bromosuccinimide, often abbreviated as NBS, is a chemical reagent widely used in organic synthesis. Its chemical formula is C4H4BrNO2. NBS is a white crystalline solid that is stable under normal conditions but can decompose when exposed to heat or light. It is soluble in various organic solvents such as dichloromethane, chloroform, and acetone.

The primary utility of NBS lies in its ability to act as a source of electrophilic bromine. It is particularly effective for allylic and benzylic bromination, a process where a bromine atom replaces a hydrogen atom on a carbon adjacent to a double bond or an aromatic ring, respectively. This reaction often proceeds via a radical mechanism. NBS is also employed in the oxidation of secondary alcohols to ketones and in the addition of bromine across carbon-carbon double bonds. Its mild nature and selectivity make it a preferred reagent over elemental bromine in many synthetic applications. Careful handling is advised as NBS can be an irritant.