Wittig reactions of moderate ylides with heteroaryl substituents at the phosphorus atom

The influence of various heteroaryl substituents at the phosphorus atom to the stereoselectivity of Wittig reactions of allylic and benzylic ylides has been studied. In the case of nitrogen bearing heteroaromatic ligands at the phosphorous atom of benzylidenephosphoranes high E-alkene selectivityʹs of up to 90:10 could be observed. NMR spectroscopic investigations revealed that substituents at the phosphorus have influences on the reactivity of ylides as well as the stability of reaction intermediates. Indications for chelation of lithium ions with ylides could also be detected and will be discussed in this article.