Regio- and stereoselective hydroxybromination and dibromination of olefins using ammonium bromide and oxone®

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of vicinal bromohydrins and dibromides from olefins is presented. Various olefins are regio- and stereoselectively hydroxybrominated and dibrominated with anti fashion, following Markonikov's rule, using eco-friendly, non-toxic, and stable reagents such as NH4Br and oxone® in CH3CN/H2O (1:1) and CH3CN without employing catalyst in moderate to excellent yields. Bromohydrins are formed instantaneously.