An inexpensive and efficient route to the Still–Gennari phosphonates, methyl and ethyl
bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)phosphonoacetates, has been developed. This short reaction
sequence is operationally simple and makes these versatile reagents for the preparation
of Z-alkenes, according to the Still–Gennari modification of the Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons
olefination reaction, available in multigram quantities.
Key words
Z-alkenes - olefination - phosphorus - Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction - Still–Gennari
modification
