Finkelstein reaction

The Finkelstein reaction, named for the German chemist Hans Finkelstein, is an SN2 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.


 * 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. Because sodium iodide is soluble in acetone and sodium chloride and sodium bromide are not, the equilibrium is shifted by the precipitation of the insoluble salt. For example, bromoethane can be converted to iodoethane:


 * CH3CH2Br + NaI → CH3CH2I + NaBr

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 and aryl 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.