Finkelstein Reaction

The Finkelstein reaction, named for the German chemist Hans Finkelstein, is an S_N2 reaction that involves the exchange of one halogen atom for another. Halide exchange is an equilibrium reaction, but the reaction can be driven to completion by taking advantage of differential solubility of halide salts, or by using a large excess of the halide salt.

R-X + X′− R-X′ + X−

The classic Finkelstein reaction involves the conversion of an alkyl chloride or an alkyl bromide to an alkyl iodide by the addition of sodium iodide in acetone. The principle behind this reaction is that sodium iodide is soluble in acetone and sodium chloride and sodium bromide are not. The reaction is driven toward products by mass action due to the precipitation of the insoluble salt, which removes it from the equilibrium expression. For example, bromoethane can be converted to iodoethane:

CH₃CH₂Br _(acetone) + NaI _(acetone) → CH₃CH₂I _(acetone) + NaBr _(s)

Alkyl halides differ greatly in the ease with which they undergo the Finkelstein reaction. The reaction works well for primary (except for neopentyl) halides, and exceptionally well for allyl, benzyl, and α-carbonyl halides. Secondary substrates are marginal. Vinyl, aryl and tertiary alkyl halides are unreactive. Below some relative rates of reaction (NaI in acetone at 60°):

In modern usage the definition of the reaction has been expanded to include the conversion of alcohols to alkyl halides by first converting the alcohol to a sulfonate ester (tosylates or mesylates are usually used), and then performing the substitution. The example below is from a synthesis of chrysochlamic acid.