Lewis acid catalyzed carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions are of great significance in organic synthesis because of their high reactivity, selectivity, and mild reaction conditions. 1 Aryl propargyl methanols are well-known carbon electrophiles capable of reacting with various nucleophiles and their ability to undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions contributes largely to their synthetic value. 2 and 3 The direct nucleophilic substitution of the hydroxy group in alcohols with ...