A mild, phosphine-free method for the conversion of alcohols into halides (Cl, Br, I) via the corresponding O-alkyl isoureas

A novel procedure for the conversion of primary and secondary alcohols into the corresponding alkyl chlorides, bromides and iodides is described. The transformation is high-yielding in the case of chlorides and bromides, tolerates a range of functional groups, and does not rely on the use of phosphines.