Triphosgene-amine base promoted chlorination of unactivated aliphatic alcohols

J Org Chem. 2013 Apr 19;78(8):3989-96. doi: 10.1021/jo400341n. Epub 2013 Mar 29.

Abstract

Unactivated α-branched primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols have been successfully transformed into their corresponding alkyl chlorides in high yields upon treatment with a mixture of triphosgene and pyridine in dichloromethane at reflux. These mild chlorination conditions are high yielding, stereospecific, and well tolerated by numerous sensitive functionalities. Furthermore, no nuisance waste products are generated in the course of the reactions.