APPLICATION OF MICROWAVE IRRADIATION TECHNIQUES FOR THE WITTING REACTION

Abstract
The Wittig reaction rate can be dramatically enhanced by irradiation of the reaction mixture containing an aldehyde or ketone; methoxymethyl(triphenyl)phosphonium chloride, potassium t-butoxide, and t BuOH with a commercial microwave oven. Carbonyl compound are converted to Witting products within three min. in good yields.