Formation of α-hydroxyketones via irregular Wittig reaction

Αddition reactions of (1-methoxyalkyl)triphenylphosphonium ylides, derived from the corresponding Wittig salts and n-BuLi, to aldehydes were investigated. It was revealed that the betaine LiX complexes, the primary adducts, were converted to α-hydroxyketones, prior to the formation of oxaphosphetanes, by addition of aqueous NH4Cl at low temperature.