A new, highly efficient in situ protocol (Cp2ZrCl2/LiAlH (OBu-t) 3) is described for the generation of the Schwartz reagent which provides a convenient method for the amide to aldehyde reduction and the regioselective hydrozirconation–iodination of alkynes and alkenes. Highlighted are chemoselective reductions of benzamides derived by directed ortho metalation (D o M) chemistry, allowing the synthesis of valuable 1, 2, 3-substituted ...