Bromine-Exchange Reaction of Antimony Tribromide with Benzyl Bromide in Nitrobenzene and in 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene$^*$

The rate of the bromine-exchange reaction of antimony tribromide with benzyl bromide in nitrobenzene or 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene has been measured, using Br-82 labelled antimony tribromide. The result of the study indicates that the exchange reaction is first order with respect to benzyl bromide, and either second or first order with respect to antimony tribromide depending on its concentrations. The second-order kinetics with respect to antimony tribromide have been observed at relatively high $[SbBr_3]$ concentrations, and the first-order kinetics at lower $[SbBr_3]$ concentrations. Reaction mechanisms are proposed for the exchange reaction.