Zinc-metal promoted selective α-haloacylation and gem-bisacylation of alkyl aldehydes in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane

Treatment of a mixture of alkyl aldehydes (1) with acid chlorides (2) in the presence of zinc metal powder and a catalytic amount of chlorotrimethylsilane (TMSCl) in dichloromethane brought about highly facile and effective coupling to give selectively the corresponding α-haloacylation and gem-bisacylation products, α-haloalkyl carboxylates and 1,1-dicarboxylates (acylals), in good to excellent yields.