The synthesis of alkenes via epi-phosphonium species:: 1.: An anti-Wittig elimination

Anti-1,2-phosphinyl alcohols 11 and their corresponding syn-isomers upon treatment with phosphorus trichloride and triethylamine give E and Z alkenes respectively, by an anti elimination. This is in marked contrast to the syn Horner-Wittig elimination of the corresponding 1,2-phosphinoyl alcohols. The 1,2-phospbinyl alcohols 11 were prepared by the reduction of 1,2-phosphinoyl alcohols with cerium(III) chloride/lithium aluminium hydride. The anti elimination is explained by the formation of a transient epi-phosphonium species. An unexpected E-selective Horner-Wittig elimination during the cerium(III) chloride/lithium aluminium hydride reduction of a 1,2-phosphinoyl alcohol in which the diphenylphosphinoyl group is adjacent to an aryl group is described. This led to the synthesis of the antimitotic agent E-combretastatin A-4. An alternative synthesis of the 1,2-phosphinyl alcohols from the corresponding phosphine-borane complex is also described. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.