Why BBr3

Bond Bond Energy(kjoule/mole)

• B-F 613
• B-cl 456
• B-Br 377
• O-B 515

Forget about B-F . Though B-cl bond formation energy is lower than B-O
bond energy. We generally use boron tribromide because we use it
under mild condition and also bond energy difference is much higher.
That is thermodynamically more favourable
Also BBr3 is a lewis acid.
Can accept oxygen lone-pair.
Also remember in the Dealkyklation mechanism
Br- attacks the carbon attached to the oxygen as a nucleophile.
And we know Br- is better nucleophile than Cl-