[zuriel]

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!

[Babcock_Hall]

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?

[Dan]

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.

[zuriel]

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?

[wildfyr]

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

[zuriel]

Thanks wildfyr!