Abstract The preparation of methyl 2??methylazulene??1??carboxylate (1) was carried out in the presence of molecular sieves to obtain a good yield. The product was subjected to bromination under different reaction conditions to obtain methyl 1??bromo??2??methylazulene?? 1??carboxylate (2) and methyl 1??bromo??2??(bromomethyl) azulene??1??carboxylate (3).