Polysubstituted enynes have been lithiated on the propargylic position
, and transmetalation to the corresponding zinc reagents promotes an e
asy cyclization reaction leading to polysubstituted cyclopentylmethylz
inc derivatives. This cyclization is stereospecific, and a single dias
tereoisomer is formed, even when a tertiary and a quaternary center ar
e linked in the process. The reaction is considered to take place via
a metallo-ene-allene process.