Abstract: The reaction of bis (bromomethy1) mercury with olefins at temperatures of 80” or above in inert solvents results in the formation of cyclopropanes via CHI transfer from the mercurial to the olefin. Bromomethylmercuric bromide is inert under these reaction conditions, but it can be brought into reaction by admixture of 1 molar equiv of diphenylmercury. The latter reacts with BrCHzHgBr to give the reactive bis (bromomethy1) ...