yellow to yellow-brown crystalline powder.
3,5-Dibromosalicylaldehyde has an aromatic odor, and like salicylaldehyde, the compound colors the skin bright yellow. It is readily soluble in ether, benzene, chloroform, and hot alcohol. It imparts a yellow colour to cold water and is slightly soluble in boiling water, so it may be purified by distillation with steam. With the addition of sodium hydroxide, the brilliant yellow sodium salt separates; it is difficultly soluble in cold water or alcohol but more readily soluble when heated with these solvents.
3,5-Dibromosalicylaldehyde reacts with alkyl cyanoacetates in the presence of ammonium acetate to yield 4H- chromenes. It can be used in the synthesis of Schiff base and can be used as reactant for synthesis of Schiff base ligands which forms mononuclear complexes with copper(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and cobalt(II).
3,5-Dibromosalicylaldehyde reacts with alkyl cyanoacetates in the presence of ammonium acetate to yield 4H- chromenes.
3,5-Dibromosalicylaldehyde was obtained in nearly quantitative yield by dissolving 20 g. of salicylaldehyde in 100 cc. of glacial acetic acid, and adding a solution of 20 cc in small portions. of bromine in 100 cc. of glacial acetic acid[1].
[1] Brewster, C. M. “SCHIFF’S BASES FROM 3,5-DIBROMO-SALICYLALDEHYDE.” Journal of the American Chemical Society 46 11 (1924): 2463–2468.