Hunsdiecker Reaction

$$\text{R--COOAg} + \text{Br}_2 \xrightarrow{\text{CCl}_4, \, \text{Reflux}} \text{R--Br} + \text{CO}_2 \uparrow + \text{AgBr} \downarrow$$

Concept: Silver salts of carboxylic acids undergo decarboxylative bromination upon treatment with bromine in refluxing carbon tetrachloride ($$\text{CCl}_4$$) to produce an alkyl bromide containing one less carbon atom than the parent carboxylic acid.

• Free radical mechanism.
• Yield of alkyl halide: $$1^\circ > 2^\circ > 3^\circ$$