Reduction of benzal halide derivatives and α, α, α,-trichloromethylbenzene by magnesium powder in DMAc affords α-halocarbanions which then react with triethylborane to give alkylated products. After oxidation with H2O2–NaOH, secondary or tertiary alcohols are obtained. Under the same conditions, 1, 1-diphenylpropane is obtained from α, α- dichlorodiphenylmethane.
