Methods are described for the syntheses of chloromethyl hydroxyalkylphenyl and benzyl ethers, and for the synthesis of bromomethyl phenyl ketone analogs. The hydroxy groups were protected as acetates. The halogenomethyl derivatives have been used for N-alkylation of 5-chloro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone. The acetyl groups in the products were removed by aminolysis or by enzymatic (pig liver esterase) hydrolysis