1,3-Dibromobenzene

1,3-Dibromobenzene is an aryl bromide and isomer of dibromobenzene that is a colorless liquid at room temperature.

Preparation

1,3-Dibromobenzene may be prepared by diazotization of 3-bromoaniline, followed by a Sandmeyer reaction with cuprous bromide.

Uses

1,3-Dibromobenzene has been used as a starting material in the synthesis of antiviral Lufotrelvir, in human clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19. The first step is formylation of 1,3-dibromobenzene to 2,6-dibromobenzaldehyde, by lithiation with lithium diisopropylamide in THF, followed by quenching with dimethylformamide.