Use of the Wadsworth-Emmons reaction for preparing hindered vinyl ethers and related 1,2-dioxetanes

Arylaldehyde acetals can be reacted with trimethyl phosphite to produce the corresponding dimethyl alpha-methoxybenzylphosphonates, themselves used in a Wadsworth-Emmons reaction with adamantanone to produce hindered methyl vinyl ethers. These vinyl ethers are useful in the preparation of chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetanes. The scope of the reaction has been explored.