Question

1. Prepare a flow diagram showing the procedure for isolation and purification of
the product. Where does the triphenylphosphine oxide byproduct end up?
2. Show how the starting phosphonium reagent could be prepared.
3. Sodium hydroxide is a very mild base for deprotonation of the phosphonium
salt. For methyl triphenylphosphonium chloride, n-butyllithium is the typical
base of choice. Why is possible to use NaOH here? (To state it another way,
why is this phosphonium salt so acidic?)

Answer 1