The decomposition of saturated oxygen-, nitrogen-, and sulfur-containing heterocyclic and acyclic compounds by phosphorus halides

Abstract

1. The limits of applicability have been studied of a new method for decomposing saturated cyclic oxides and dialkyl ethers involving their conversion into dibromides and bromides respectively under aprotic conditions, with the gradual addition of conc. HBr to a mixture of the compound being decomposed with PBr3. 2. The mechanism of the decomposition of the C-O bond in ethers on reaction with the phosphorus halides is discussed.