A simple and robust procedure for the synthesis and use of thermally unstable
dichloromethyllithium in continuous flow mode is described. By utilizing residence times in
the range of milliseconds for the generation and electrophilic quench of
dichloromethyllithium, the straightforward synthesis of dichlorocarbinols and benzylic
pinacol esters was realized at reaction temperatures of− 30° C, whereas typical
temperatures in traditional batch mode are below− 78° C. The excellent purity profile …