Abstract
A convenient route for the synthesis of β-substituted vinylphosphonates utilizes the reaction of aldehydes with diphenyl triphenylphosphoranylidenemethylphosphonate.2,3 Unfortunately, this ylide system is unreactive with ketones for the generation of β,β-disubstituted vinylphosphonates. Tetraethyl methylenebisphosphonate carbanion has been used in place of the ylide in reaction with a number of aldehydes,3 but has found only limited use in reaction with ketones.4,5