CuCl-catalyzed reaction of zirconacyclopentenes with oxalyl chloride: a new pathway for the preparation of cyclopentenones

Zirconacyclopentenes, which are easily prepared from alkynes and EtMgBr (or ethylene) and Cp2ZrCl2, reacted with oxalyl chloride in the presence of catalytic amount of CuCl to give cyclopentenones in high yields. The reaction was performed conveniently in one pot from alkynes, EtMgBr, oxalyl chloride, and Cp2ZrCl2.