Abstract
The interaction of Li-diethylbenzylphosphonate 1-Li with aldehydes 2 is studied at different reaction conditions, the corresponding β-hydroxyethanephosphonate 3 being isolated. It is found that in these cases the aldol stage of the HWE reaction is not stereoselective or threo isomers predominate. The elimination stage leads only to trans-alkene due to the electron and steric influence of the substituents at the phosphorus atom.