Facile and stereoselective synthesis of (E)-vinyl bromides by microwave-induced reaction of 1,1-dibromoalkenes using a diethyl phosphonate/EtONa/EtOH system

(E)-Vinyl bromides were readily prepared from 1,1-dibromoalkenes by microwave irradiation within 1 min using a diethyl phosphonate/EtONa/EtOH system. This method utilizes cheap and environmentally friendly reagents, requires only a short reaction time, and gives (E)-vinyl bromides in high stereoselectivities and high yields. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.