process, the couple (typically a slurry in an ethereal solvent) reacts with methylene iodide to generate iodomethylzinc iodide, which is the intermediate responsible for cyclopropanation. {Zn_\mathit{n}(Cu)} + CH2I2 -> {IZnCH2I} + Zn_{\mathit{n}-1}(Cu) The couple has also been employed to generate alkyl zinc reagents for conjugate addition, as a dehalogenating reagent, as a promoter of reductive coupling of carbonyl compounds, and to reduce electron-deficient alkenes and alkynes. Sonication has been employed to enhance the rate of the zinc–copper couple-mediated cycloaddition of α,α’-dibromo ketones to 1,3-dienes. See also Devarda's alloy Organozinc compound References Zinc alloys Reducing agents