A highly versatile and efficient method has been developed for the Barbier-Grignard-type arylation and alkylation of aldehydes using unactivated bromides and Mg in tetrahydrofuran at 65 ℃ promoted by BiCl 3 and PPh 3. This method has offered high yields of 61%～99% mostly, mild reaction conditions, short reaction time, easy workup and a one-pot procedure. The steric, electronic effects and some new results have been discussed. A possible mechanism catalyzed by BiCl 3 and Ph 3 P was reasonably proposed.