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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Organic Chemistry Forum for Graduate Students and Professionals => Topic started by: zuriel on January 30, 2016, 06:04:30 PM

Title: Any practical tips on using neat boron tribromide?
Post by: zuriel on January 30, 2016, 06:04:30 PM
Hi folks,

I hope to use boron tribromide (neat) soon in a reaction and I've read advice online, filled out a risk assessment and taken on board tips from some postdocs but I was wondering if anyone else here has had any first hand experience with it? How do you use it safely and efficiently?

All practical advice is welcome, thanks!
Title: Re: Any practical tips on using neat boron tribromide?
Post by: Babcock_Hall on February 01, 2016, 09:09:57 AM
Going on memory here, but I have seen protocols for using it in hexane, and I purchased a solution a long time ago.  What makes you prefer to use it neat?
Title: Re: Any practical tips on using neat boron tribromide?
Post by: Dan on February 01, 2016, 01:27:56 PM
It's not too horrendous, it's similar to handling TMSOTf. It fumes a lot.

Keep it in the hood at all times and have a flask of bicarb solution or something similar to quench your needles and any spills. I double up on gloves.

Bear in mind that due to its high density it has a tendency to drip out of the needle during transfer (like bromine does if you've ever used that), so make sure the distance the needle has to travel is short and unobstructed and there is nothing under the path it will travel.
Title: Re: Any practical tips on using neat boron tribromide?
Post by: zuriel on April 18, 2016, 09:39:32 AM
Thanks Dan - the needle distance tip was something I never considered.

Would it be a good idea to dilute it with some DCM and then add that DCM solution of the tribromide to my reaction mixture?
Title: Re: Any practical tips on using neat boron tribromide?
Post by: wildfyr on April 18, 2016, 05:34:16 PM

Would it be a good idea to dilute it with some DCM and then add that DCM solution of the tribromide to my reaction mixture?

Absolutely
Title: Re: Any practical tips on using neat boron tribromide?
Post by: zuriel on April 19, 2016, 05:28:26 AM
Thanks wildfyr!