Cadmium-mediated carbonyl benzylation in tap water

Zn/CdCl2 has been developed as a mediator in the benzylation of various aldehydes in tap water affording the corresponding alcohols in moderate to good yields. The addition of a catalytic amount of InCl3 increases the yield of benzylation product significantly. It can selectively mediate the benzylation of aldehydes in the presence of ketones. A mechanism involving the formation of a cation pi-complex is proposed based on the experimental facts.