We have reported the Grignard reaction of Halothane, 2-bromo-2-chloro-
1,1,1-trifluoroethane (1), with ketones gave unexpected products, ha-(
1-bromo-1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)alcohols (4) at a low temperatur
e. However, this reaction hardly proceeded with aldehydes. Now, we fou
nd the reaction of 1 with aldehydes in the presence of zinc gave not o
nly products of type 4, but alpha-(1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)alcoh
ols (3), the expected type of products, under mild conditions in good
to moderate yields. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd