Abstract Functionalized α-arylamino-α′-chloro ketones are obtained in high yield via a straightforward homologation reaction of Weinreb amides derived from N-arylglycines using in situ generated chloromethyllithium. The use of the Weinreb amides is essential and allows the chemoselective homologation of N-aryl-N-substituted glycine analogues, a transformation which is not possible using similar glycine esters. The procedure is ...