Abstract
Reaction of $(E)-{\beta}-chloro-{\gamma}$-hydroxyvinylmercurials, prepared by mercuration of propargyl alcohol and 2-methyl-3-butyne-2-ol, with olefins in the presence of a catalytic amount of $Li_2PdCl_4$ and 2 equiv of cupric chloride in methanol at $50^{\circ}C$ gave the corresponding (E,E)-2,4-dienols in moderate yields. However, addition of 1 equiv of inorganic bases such as magnesium oxide to the reaction mixture brings a rapid and clean vinylation and gave high yields of the dienols at room temperature. In the case of hindered (E)-2-chloro-3-chloromercuri-2-buten-1,4-diol prepared from 2-butyne-1,4-diol, reaction with olefins gave the dienols only in low yields even in the presence of 2 equiv of magnesium oxide.