(Chloromethyl)magnesium Chloride–Lithium Chloride: A Chemoselective Reagent for the Synthesis of Functionalized Aromatic Chlorohydrins

The reactivity of (chloromethyl)magnesium chloride–lithium chloride (ClCH 2 MgCl·LiCl), a mixed lithium–magnesium carbenoid, in reactions with aromatic aldehydes bearing various functional groups is reported. The reagent is highly chemoselective, permitting the synthesis of a range of ring-functionalized aromatic chlorohydrins in high yields.