What carbonyl compound and what phosphonium ylide are required for the synthesis of the following alkene?
A)I
B)II
C)III
D)II or III
E)I,II,or III

Question

What carbonyl compound and what phosphonium ylide are required for the synthesis of the following alkene? 
A)I 
B)II 
C)III 
D)II or III 
E)I,II,or III

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The alkene shown in the image is a 1,2-disubstituted alkene, which can be synthesized using Wittig reaction. The Wittig reaction involves the reaction of a carbonyl compound (here, aldehyde or ketone) with a phosphonium ylide. In this case, both II (dimethyl methylphosphonate) and III (triphenylphosphine) are suitable phosphonium ylides for the synthesis of the target alkene. Therefore, the best choice is D, i.e., either II or III can be used for the synthesis.

What Carbonyl Compound and What Phosphonium Ylide Are Required for the Synthesis