Zinc mediated reductive dimerization and cyclization of α,β-unsaturated ketones in the presence of a catalytic amount of mercury(II) chloride

The zinc mediated reductive dimerization and cyclization of α,β-unsaturated ketones gives functionalized cyclopentanols in good yield in the presence of a catalytic amount of mercury(II) chloride in N,N-dimethylformamide as solvent at room temperature. The reaction is regio- and stereo-selective producing 3,4-trans-diarylcyclopentanols selectively.