The reaction of tris(triphenylphosphine)rhodiumchloride [RhCl(PPh3)3] with diethylzinc (Et2Zn) easily afforded a rhodium-hydride complex that effects the 1,4-reduction of α,β-unsaturated esters to give rhodium enolates. Formation of the rhodium enolate is followed by transmetalation with the zinc species to give a Reformatsky-type reagent, and this reacts with various acid chlorides at the α-position