The reaction of hesachlorocyclopentadiene with methanolic base has been studied. The bimolecular reaction, first order both in halide and in base, led to the formation of 1, 2, 3, 4- tetrachloro-5, 6-dimethoxycyclopentadiene exclusively. monomethoxy derivative was obtained. Further reaction with base yielded 1, 2, 3-trichloro-4, 5, 5-trimethoxycyclopenta- diene which, upon isolation and continued exposure to base, underwent two ...