Abstract The reaction of tris (triphenylphosphine) rhodium chloride [RhCl (PPh 3) 3] with diethylzinc (Et 2 Zn) easily afforded a rhodium-hydride complex that effects the 1, 4- reduction of α, β-unsaturated esters to give rhodium enolates. Formation of the rhodium enolate is followed by transmetalation with the zinc species to give a Reformatsky-type reagent, and this reacts with various acid chlorides at the α-position to give β-keto esters. ...