A literature search for a synthetic route to mono para-substituted dibenzylcarbinols revealed that only one such compound, the methoxy derivative, has been prepared, and that by a rather difficult five-step synthesis (1). In the present study two attempts at better routes to compounds of this type have been made: (a) by a reaction between p-substituted benzylmagnesium halides and phenylacetaldehyde, and (b) by a Claisen condensation between p-substituted phenylacetonitrile and ethyl phenylacetate, followed by hydrolysis, decarboxylation, and reduction of the resulting ketone. The benzyl Grignard reagents reacted in an anomalous manner with phenylacetaldehyde, and no desired carbinol could be isolated. This reaction has received attention elsewhere (2). In a trial synthesis by route (b) we were able to prepare 1-phenyl-3-(pchlorophenyl) -2-propanol (I) in moderate yields and without complication. The preparation of two derivatives of I is also described.