Reduction of CCl4 by CrCl2 in THF afforded a trinuclear chromium(iii) carbyne [CrCl(thf)2]3(μ3-CCl)(μ-Cl)3. The chlorocarbyne complex reacted with aldehydes to afford chloroallylic alcohols and terminal alkynes. The mechanistic study proposed two competitive pathways via an α-chlorovinyl intermediate.