The synthesis of dl-threo-3-chloro-3-phenyl-2-aminopropanol hydrochloride (Ⅳ), a useful intermediate for the preparation of racemic chloramphenicol^[4], has been achieved by treating 1-phenyl-2-amino-3-ethoxypropanol hydrochloride (Ⅴ), m.p. 119-120°, with concentrated hydrochloric acid in sealed tube; the ethoxy group being converted to hydroxyl, and the replacement of secondary hydroxyl by chlorine having also taken place. The compound Ⅴ was in turn prepared by a 3-step synthesis starting with ethyl α-benzoyl-β-ethoxyacrylate (Ⅵ).