The reaction of chloro-(2-chloroethyl) benzenes (1), 4-chloro-(3-chloropropyl) benzene (3) or 4-chlorophenyl chloromethyl ether (5) with lithium power using naphthalene as the electron shuttle (8 mol%) in the presence of different carbonyl compounds [ButCHO, PhCHO, Me2CO, Et2CO,(CH2) 5CO, PhCOMe] in THF at− 78 to 20° C gives, after hydrolysis with water, the expected diols 2, 4 or 6, respectively. Bromo-2-(chloroethyl) benzenes (7) ...