A direct synthesis of functionalized styrenes and terminal 1,3-dienes via aqueous Wittig chemistry with formalin

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.tetlet.2010.10.090

A direct synthesis of functionalized styrenes including synthetically valuable styryl halides and terminal 1,3-dienes is reported directly from benzylic and allylic alcohols and aqueous formalin involving microwave assisted phosphonium salt formation and Wittig olefination under mildly basic conditions.