Convenient synthesis of diene–zirconocenes and regioselective partial reduction of the more highly substituted double bonds of conjugated dienes via complexation with zirconocenes and protonolysis

Abstract

Conjugated dienes can be initially converted to their zirconocene complexes most conveniently by their reaction with (C₅H₅)₂ZrCl₂ and freshly ground Mg; the resultant complexes can then be protonolysed with 3 mol dm^–3 HCl to give regioselectively monoenes corresponding to partial hydrogenation of the more highly substituted double bond.