A new method for alkylation of aromatic aldehydes using alkylboron chloride derivatives in the presence of oxygen

Reactions of aromatic aldehydes with alkylboron chloride derivatives in the presence of oxygen have been investigated. Dialkylboron chlorides react with aryl aldehydes to produce arylalkylmethanols in good to excellent yields. Under the same reaction conditions, alkylboron dichlorides lead to the formation of arylalkyl chlorides.