Direct halogenation of alcohols with halosilanes under catalyst- and organic solvent-free reaction conditions

A chemoselective method for the direct halogenation of different types of alcohols with halosilanes under catalyst- and solvent-free reaction conditions (SFRC) is reported. Various primary, secondary and tertiary benzyl alcohols and tertiary alkyl alcohols were directly transformed to the corresponding benzyl and alkyl halides, respectively, using chlorotrimethylsilane (TMSCl) and bromotrimethylsilane (TMSBr).