Synthesis and decarboxylative Wittig reaction of difluoromethylene phosphobetaine

A key intermediate, difluoromethylene phosphobetaine, in the Wittig reaction of ClCF2CO2Na–Ph3P with aldehydes was synthesized and characterized, which confirmed the reaction mechanism. The decarboxylation of this stable intermediate was a convenient approach for Wittig difluroolefination. Its reactivity could be adjusted by the modification of the substituent on the phosphorus.