Abstract A general method for the preparation of acetylenedicarboxylic acid esters has been investigated and several esters have been prepared in excellent yield. The bis-(methyl (S)- lactyl), bis-(methyl (R)-mandelyl), and bis-menthyl esters were prepared, as well as achiral diaryl and dialkyl esters. The esters were synthesized from the corresponding dibromofumarates by 2, 3-dibromo elimination using zinc or zinc amalgam in THF at room ...
