A novel protocol to effect the efficient selective halogenation of 1, 1-disubstituted alkenes with NXS catalyzed by Yb (OTf) 3–TMSCl, which affords the corresponding allyl halides in high yield, including allyl bromide, chloride, iodide and fluoride, is described. A remarkable feature of Yb (OTf) 3–TMSCl-catalyzed halogenation is that, unlike conventional radical halogenation with N-halosuccinimides, the reaction discriminates between the allylic and ...