The reactions of aldehydes and a non-conjugated alcohol, (E)-octa-3,7-dien-1-ol, in the presence of halogen-containing reagents afforded the corresponding halogenated bicyclic molecules in good yields. The optimization, scope and limitations of the reactions as well as scale-up reactions have been examined. Quantum chemical calculations helped clarify the microscopic mechanism of a key reaction process, the introduction of a Cl atom to a bicyclic carbocation.