Electrochemical reduction of methyl cinnamate in the presence of a dielectrophile, such as 1,3-bis(4-methyl phenylsulphonyloxy)propane gives two major products: trans-(+/-) methyl 2-phenylcyclopentane-carboxylate and trans- (+/-) methyl 2,3-diphenyl-5-oxo-cyclopentanecarboxylate. The ratio of products basically depends on the electrolysis conditions.