Cyclic α-Alkoxyphosphonium Salts from (2-(Diphenylphosphino)phenyl)methanol and Aldehydes and Their Application in Synthesis of Vinyl Ethers and Ketones via Wittig Olefination.

Cyclic α-alkoxyphosphonium salts have been synthesized from (2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)methanol and aldehydes in 36-89% yields. These phosphonium salts are bench-stable solids and undergo Wittig olefination with aldehydes under basic conditions (K2CO3 or t-BuOK) to form benzylic vinyl ethers, which are readily hydrolyzed to 1,2-disubstituted ethanones under acidic conditions. The formation mechanism of these phosphonium salts via hemiacetal is also proposed.