Bromocyclohexane
# Bromocyclohexane

Bromocyclohexane (also called cyclohexyl bromide, abbreviated CXB) is an organic compound with the chemical formula $(CH_2)_5CHBr.$

## Uses and reactions

It is used to match the refractive index of PMMA for example in confocal microscopy of colloids. A mixture of cis-decalin and CXB can simultaneously match optical index and density of PMMA. Due to the moderate dielectric constant of CXB (ε = 7.9), PMMA acquires charges that can be screened by the addition of salt (e.g. tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), leading to a very good approximation of colloidal hard sphere. A drawback is that CXB is a good solvent for PMMA, causing it to swell over time, which may lead to a poor determination of particle radii and determination of solid volume fraction.

It is a standard coupling partner of cross coupling reactions. Similarly, cyclohexyl bromide is a standard alkylating agent.

## Synthesis

Bromocyclohexane can be prepared by the free radical bromination of cyclohexane.

## Safety

Bromocyclohexane is an alkylating agent.

