Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry
Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky reaction:
A reaction between a
carboxylic acid
and PBr
3
(or Br
2
with PBr
3
catalyst
) resulting in the corresponding
alpha
-bromo
carboxylic acid
.
In this sample Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky reaction,
phenyl
acetic acid
is reacted with PBr
3
to produce 2-bromo-2-
phenyl
acetic acid
.
Related terms:
Name reaction
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