Thionyl Chloride → 4-(Chloromethyl)-1-isopropoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzene

To a solution of (4-isopropoxy-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methanol (11.27 mmol) in toluene (20 mL) was added thionyl chloride (67.7 mmol). The reaction was stirred at 75° C. for 3 h. The mixture was diluted with hexanes, washed with water (twice), saturated NaHCO3, dried over MgSO4, and filtered. The solvent was removed under vacuum to give the title compound as an oil (10.4 mmol). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ ppm 1.29 (d, J=6.06 Hz, 6H), 4.75-4.85 (m, 3H), 7.30 (d, J=8.46 Hz, 1H), 7.63-7.70 (m, 2H).