The reaction of 1, 2-, 1, 3-and 1, 4-di (chloromethyl) benzenes (1a-c) and different electrophiles [PriCHO, ButCHO, PhCHO,(CH2) 5CO, PhCOMe, Me3SiCl] with an excess of lithium powder and a catalytic amount of DTBB (4 mol%) in THF at 0° C leads, after hydrolysis with water, to the expected dioles or disilylated compounds 2aa-cf.