A solution of 0.9 gram (0.002 mole) of 1-cyclopropyl-1-(4-chlorophenyl) -4-cyano-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)-3-butene in 15 ml of methanol was stirred, and 0.5 gram (0.002 mole) of magnesium was added. The reaction mixture was stirred for about one hour at which time an exothermic reaction occurred. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C. where it was stirred for one hour, and then it was allowed to warm to ambient temperature where it stirred for two hours. After this time the reaction mixture was diluted with 20 ml of aqueous 10% hydrochloric acid, and the mixture was extracted with diethyl ether. The combined extracts were dried with magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure, yielding 0.7 gram of 1-cyclopropyl-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-cyano-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)butane. The nmr spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure.
