Question

The Wittig reaction involves coupling between a phosphonium ylide and a carbonyl-containing molecule. If a chemist wants to use the Wittig reaction to synthesize 3-methyl-3-hexene, which reactants should be used?

Answer 1

ethyl methyl ketone and triphenyl(propylidene)phosphorane is used here to give the wittig reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

In wittig reaction, aldehyde and ketones are converted to alkenes in presence of ylide.

ylide attacks at carbonyl group resulting formation of a 4-memeberd intermediate. Then this 4-membered ring cleaves to give alkene.

Ylides used in wittig reaction are generally prepared from primary halides.

Preparation of ylides as well as reaction mechnism has been shown below.