Multibromo-N-alkylcarbazoles: synthesis, characterization, and their benzo[b]thiophene derivatives

We present an efficient method for the selective bromination of N-alkylcarbazoles using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in THF. Four brominated N-alkylcarbazoles including 3-bromo-, 3,6-dibromo-, 1,3,6-tribromo- and 1,3,6,8-tetrabromo-carbazoles were prepared and identified by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Subsequent cross-coupling of these carbazoles with benzo[b]thien-2-ylboronic acid gave the corresponding benzo[b]thien-2-yl functionalized carbazoles in good yields.