Abstract: Tri-n-butyltin hydride reacts with acid chloride, RCOCI, spontaneously at ambient temperatures to form n-Bu3SnC1, RCHO, RC (0) OCH2R, and a number of minor products. The reaction is not a radical chain process, nor are radicals involved as intermediates. The initial products are n-Bu, SnCI and RCHO; it is not known whether these are formed in a direct reaction between n-Bu3SnH and RCOCl or via an unstable chloroalkoxytin species, ...