Fluorous solvent as a new phase-screen medium between reagents and reactants in the bromination and chlorination of alcohols.

[reaction: see text] A perfluorohexane layer regulates the rate of reagent transport in the bromination and chlorination of alcohols. A fluorous triphasic U-tube method is effective for lighter reagents; the thionyl chloride layer (yellow) vanishes, and the chlorides are obtained from the right top organic layer in the chlorination of alcohols.