Reactions of RMgX . THF complexes with 4-chloro-2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol in aromatic hydrocarbons were studied. The complexes formed by arylmagnesium halides require the presence of anisole for the reaction to occur. 4-Chloro-2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol can be synthesized by reaction of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol with sodium hypochloride in the two-phase system water-benzene.