Symmetrical conjugated diene and polyene synthesis via vinylmercuric salts

摘要

Vinylmercuric halide salts undergo reaction with palladium (II) dimerization promoting agents, preferably in a highly polar organic solvent at low temperatures to provide essentially quantative yields of conjugated dienes. Importantly, the reaction is stereospecific and is especially valuable for synthesis of functionally substituted dienes and symmetrical polyenes.