The one-pot Wittig reaction:: A facile synthesis of α,β-unsaturated esters and nitriles by using nanocrystalline magnesium oxide

Nanocrystalline magnesium oxide was found to be an effective heterogeneous, solid base catalyst for the one-pot Wittig reaction to afford alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and nitrites in excellent yields with high E-stereoselectivity in the presence of triphenylphosphine under mild conditions.