Highly Stereoselective and General Synthesis of (E)‐Stilbenes and Alkenes by Means of an Aqueous Wittig Reaction

Abstract The chemoselective formation of trialkyl(benzylidene) ylides in water and their Wittig reaction with aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes provides a practical, stereoselective and environmentally benign route to valuable ( E )‐stilbenes and alkenes. The synthesis of the phytoalexin resveratrol is described. In addition, the method allows for a gram‐scale synthesis of the anticancer agent DMU‐212 utilizing no organic solvent at any stage. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)