A direct synthesis of functionalized styrenes and terminal 1,3-dienes via aqueous Wittig chemistry with formalin

A direct synthesis of functionalized styrenes including synthetically valuable styryl halides and terminal 1,3-dienes is reported directly from benzylic and allylic alcohols and aqueous formalin involving microwave assisted phosphonium salt formation and Wittig olefination under mildly basic conditions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.