(E)-Selective Wittig reactions of Garner's aldehyde with nonstabilized ylides

In the Wittig olefination reactions of Garner's aldehyde with certain nonstabilized ylides, the (E)-alkenes could be produced as a major product by simply quenching the reactions with a large excess of MeOH at −78 °C. Even under the salt-free conditions, more than a 10:1 ratio of the (E)- to (Z)-alkene was resulted consistently from the ylides of a linear alkyl chain. Without addition of MeOH, usual selectivity for the (Z)-alkene was obtained in a ratio of 94:6.