Synthesis of new water-soluble phosphonium salts and their Wittig reactions in water

Abstract

Some new water-soluble alkyltriarylphosphonium salts are reported. Their solubility is due to the presence of either carboxy or hydroxy groups on the phenyl rings attached to phosphorus. Examples of both benzyl- and butylphosphonium salts are presented and investigation into their Wittig reactions with a range of aldehydes using water as the solvent is described.