Stereo- and regioselective synthesis of 1,3-diaryl-3-chloro-1-propanols via the reaction of aryl aldehydes with styrene and (E)-β-methylstyrene

Reactions of aryl aldehydes with styrene and (E)-β-methylstyrene in the presence of phenylboron dichloride regioselectively generate 1,3-diaryl-3-chloro-1-propanols and 1,3-diaryl-3-chloro-2-methyl-1-propanols in good to excellent yields with high stereoselectivity.