Quelet Reaction

Abstract

The preparation of para ‐α‐chloroalkyl aromatic derivatives by passing dry hydrochloric acid through the solution of a phenolic ether and an aliphatic aldehyde in the presence or absence of a Lewis acid reagent (e.g., ZnCl 2 ), and is known as the Quelet reaction or the Blanc–Quelet reaction. All the mechanistic features of the reaction have been discussed and compared with Blanc chloromethylation. This reaction has been applied for the preparation of different styrene derivatives.