Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,5-Diionic Organophosphorus Compounds

The reactive 1:1 intermediate produced in the reaction between triphenylphosphine and alkyl propiolates or ethynyl phenyl ketone was trapped by isopropylidene Meldrum's acid (5-isopropylidene-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione) to produce alkyl 3-(isopropylidenemalonate-5-yl-5-ylid)-3-methyl-2-triphenylphosphoniomethylidene-butanoates or 3-(isopropylidenemalonate-5-yl-5-ylid)-3-methyl-2-triphenylphosphoniomethylidene-butanone in 75-86% yield. These 1,5-diionic phosphorus betaines exist as (Z) geometrical isomer in CDCl 3 solution.