A novel reaction of dimethylsulfonium methylide with Michael acceptors: application to the synthesis of difficultly accessible vinyl silanes and styrenes

Rather than the usual cyclopropanation and Peterson-type olefination, conditions for a novel elimination reaction from the adduct of dimethylsulfonium methylide and 2-silylalkylidene/arylidene malonate/cyanoacetate/phosphonoacetate leading to geminally substituted vinyl silanes or styrenes, respectively, have been established.