A mild synthesis of vinyl halides and gem-dihalides using triphenyl phosphite-halogen-based reagents

A new application of (PhO)(3)P-halogen-based reagents to the synthesis of vinyl halides and gem-dihalides is described. Vinyl halides were prepared in good to excellent yields from enolizable ketones, whereas aldehydes afforded the corresponding gem-dihalides. The halogenation proceeded smoothly under mild conditions.