Rhodium-catalyzed methylenation of aldehydes

The rhodium-catalyzed methylenation of aldehydes using trimethylsilyldiazomethane and triphenylphosphine produces a variety of terminal alkenes in excellent yields. These mild and nonbasic reaction conditions allow the conversion of enolizable substrates (keto aldehydes and nonracemic alpha-substituted aldehydes) to terminal alkenes without epimerization. Optimization of the reaction conditions led to the conclusion that a variety of rhodium(I) sources can be used as catalysts. The effect of the solvent on the reaction has also been studied, and it indicates that although the THF is the best solvent, other solvents may be used. The reactivity of the system is very much dependent on the nature of the phosphine reagent. The use of an easily removable phosphine is also described. Spectroscopic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds via an unusual mechanism which leads to the in situ formation of the salt-free phosphorus ylide, methylenetriphenylphosphorane.