potassium hydroxide in methanol; water T=35°C;

1: 1-phenylcycloprop-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid With methyllithium in tetrahydrofuran; diethyl ether T=-78 - -40°C; 0.2 h; 2: With zinc(II) chloride in tetrahydrofuran; diethyl ether T=-78°C; 0.0833333 h; 3: iodobenzene Further stages;

1: 73 percent / Rh2(OAc)4 / CH2Cl2 / 20 °C 2: 91 percent / KOH / methanol; H2O / 35 °C View Scheme

1: 73 percent / Rh2(OAc)4 / CH2Cl2 / 20 °C 2: 91 percent / KOH / methanol; H2O / 35 °C View Scheme