Abstract The electrochemical reduction of 1,2-di-alkylphenyl-1,2-ethenediol di-alkylbenzoates, on a Hg cathode in DMF/LiClO4, yields 1,2-di-alkylphenylacetylenes. The enediol diesters were obtained from alkylbenzoyl chlorides, by the same method, using dry acetone/LiClO4.