2-Bromobutyric acid is used as a building block chemical, such as in the preparation of Levetiracetam,[citation needed] an anticonvulsant medication.[2]
Production
(±)-2-Bromobuyric acid may be prepared by the acid-catalyzed Hell–Volhard–Zelinsky reaction, where butyric acid is treated with elemental bromine. It is one of many compounds that arise adventiously from the use of bromine as an antiseptic.[3]
References
^Ahlberg, R. (1932). "Über die α-Brom-n-buttersäure. (II. Mitteilung). Die Zerlegung der racem-Säure". Journal für Praktische Chemie. 135 (11–12): 335–344. doi:10.1002/prac.19321351103.
^Krasner, Stuart W.; Weinberg, Howard S.; Richardson, Susan D.; Pastor, Salvador J.; Chinn, Russell; Sclimenti, Michael J.; Onstad, Gretchen D.; Thruston, Alfred D. (2006). "Occurrence of a New Generation of Disinfection Byproducts". Environmental Science & Technology. 40 (23): 7175–7185. doi:10.1021/es060353j. PMID17180964.