Wittig Reactions of Stabilized Phosphorus Ylides with Aldehydes in Water

Abstract The Wittig reactions of three stabilized phosphorus ylides with aldehydes in water were investigated. Most of the olefination reactions completed within 5–60 min in refluxing water in the presence of 1.2 M LiCl to afford the olefin products in 65–98% yields. It was found that the Wittig reactions of stabilized phosphorus ylides with aldehydes in water were faster than those carried out in organic solvents.