PURPOSE: To produce the subject compound useful as a raw material or intermediate for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, liquid crystals, etc., on an industrial scale in high yield at a low cost by reacting an aldehyde with a trifluoromethyl halide in the presence of a nitrogen-containing aromatic compound and Zn and separating the produced alcohol from the reaction liquid.

CONSTITUTION: This alcohol having a trifluoromethyl group on the α-site can be produced by reacting (A) a nitrogen-containing aromatic compound such as pyridine or 2-methylpyridine with (B) an aldehyde and (C) a trifluoromethyl halide in the presence of (D) metallic Zn and separating the produced alcohol from the reaction liquid. The amounts of the component D and the component C are 1.5-5 equivalent and 1.5-10 equivalent based on 1 equivalent of the formyl group of the component B, respectively and the amount of the component A is 1-10 equivalent based on 1 equivalent of the component D.