Oxidative bromination of activated aromatic compounds using alkali metal bromide salts and aqueous nitric acid to the corresponding bromo-derivatives is achieved in a liquid-liquid, two- phase system under ambient conditions. Nitric acid offers a dual function of an oxidant as well as a proton donor, which is essential for oxidative bromination using metal bromide salts. Bromination as well as chlorination could be accomplished with this simple system.
