2-Bromo-4′-cyanoacetophenone can be synthesized from ethylbenzene via aerobic photooxidation using aqueous HBr. 2-Bromo-4′-cyanoacetophenone may be used to synthesize: • 3-acylindolizines • (2R,3R)-3-[4-(4-cyanophenyl)thiazol-2-yl]-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanol • 1-[2-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-1,10-phenanthrolinium bromide. 2-Bromo-4′-cyanoacetophenone can be synthesized from ethylbenzene via aerobic photooxidation using aqueous HBr. 2-Bromo-4′-cyanoacetophenone may be used to synthesize: • 3-acylindolizines • (2R,3R)-3-[4-(4-cyanophenyl)thiazol-2-yl]-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanol • 1-[2-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-1,10-phenanthrolinium bromide.