PURPOSE: To obtain the subject compound in high purity and yield by using tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane as a raw material easily available at a relatively low cost, reacting the raw material with a caustic alkali in an aqueous solvent and reacting the product with bromine.
CONSTITUTION: 2,2-Dibromo-2-nitroethanol is produced by a two-stage reaction comprising the 1st step reaction consisting of the dissolution of tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane in water and the reaction of the above compound with a caustic alkali (especially preferably NaOH, KOH, etc.) and the 2nd step reaction consisting of the dropping of bromine to the 1st reactional mixture to effect the bromination and the adjustment of the pH to ≤7, preferably ≤3 by the addition of an acid after the completion of the bromination reaction. The product is extracted with a solvent such as toluene or chloroform and purified by washing with water to easily obtain the objective compound in high purity and yield. Since an aqueous medium is used as the solvent of the reaction, the process has high safety and is advantageous from industrial viewpoint. 2,2-Dibromo-2-nitroethanol is useful as an industrial disinfectant or an agent for removing sulfide.
OGURA HISATAKE
HORII TETSUO
