Synthesis of olefins via a Wittig reaction mediated by triphenylarsine.

An arsine-mediated Wittig reaction for the synthesis of olefins is described. After heating triphenylarsine in the presence of an activated alkyl bromide for 30 minutes, the resulting arsonium salt condensed with aldehydes in as little as 5 minutes at room temperature, yielding the olefins in high yields. Aromatic, heteroaromatic, and alkyl aldehydes were all suitable substrates for this process.