Synthesis of Geminal Azido-Halo Compounds and α-Azidoalkyl Esters from Aldehydes via α-Azido Alcohols.

α-Azido alcohols are generated by treating aldehydes with hydrazoic acid in chloroform. These adducts are transformed into geminal azido-halo compounds through the reaction with phosphorus trichloride or phosphorus tribromide, whereas α-azidoalkyl esters are isolated after interaction with acyl chlorides.