A Simple Synthesis of Stable Phosphoranes Derived from Imidazole Derivatives

Stable crystalline phosphorus ylides were obtained in excellent yields from the 1:1:1 addition reaction between triphenylphosphine and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, in the presence of strong NH-acids, such as imidazole, 2-methylimidazole, 4-methylimidazole, 2-ethylimidazole, benzimidazole, and 5,6-dimethylbezimidazole. These stable ylides exist in solution as a mixture of two geometrical isomers as a result of restricted rotation around the carbon–carbon partial double bond resulting from the conjugation of the ylide moiety with the adjacent carbonyl group.