PURPOSE: To easily produce a bromoazulenequinone compound useful for pharmaceuticals such as anti-inflammatory agent and antitumor agent, electrophotographic receptors, liquid crystal elements, etc., in high purity at a low cost by reacting a specific azulene compound with bromine in a solvent containing a cyclic ether and acetic acid.
CONSTITUTION: The objective compound of formula II ((m) is 1 or 2) or formula III is produced by reacting (A) a compound of formula I (R is an alkyl, a halogen, carboxyl, an alkoxycarbonyl or CN; (n) is 0-6; at least one of each 1 and 3 sites and 5 and 7 sites is H) with (B) bromine in (C) a solvent containing a cyclic ether and acetic acid (e.g. a mixed solvent containing THF, acetic acid and water at ratios of 20:1:1 to 2:1:1). Preferably, the amount of the component B is 3-4.5 equivalent based on 1 equivalent of the component A and the reaction is carried out at 0°C to room temperature for 5min to 5hr.
SHINDO KIMIO
KAGEYAMA MASANORI
NOZOE TETSUO
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