dimerization of terminalalkynes with trichloroacetyl chloride as chlorine donor proceeds in the presence of rhodium catalysts to give (Z,Z)-1,4-dichloro-1,3-butadienes stereoselectively. Ligand screening has revealed that reactions using sterically bulky and electron-donating ligands like trimesitylphosphine are high yielding. The reaction is compatible with a range of functional groups to give the title