The catalytic bromination of non-activated aromatic compounds has been achieved using an Fe2O3/zeolite catalyst system. FeBr3 was identified as the catalytic species, formed in situ from HBr and Fe2O3. The catalyst was easy-to-handle and cost effective and could also be recycled. The reaction system was also amenable to the one-pot sequential bromination/C–C bond formation of benzene.
