Synthesis of Some Itaconates via Wittig reaction

The Wittig reaction of aromatic aldehydes with 1,2‐bis‐(ethoxycarbonyl) ethylidene triphenyl phosphorane (1) furnished oily mixtures of the two diastereomeric products (E) and (Z) (2). Alkaline hydrolysis of the diesters followed by fractional crystallization affords the corresponding (E)‐isomers (3) and (Z)‐isomers (4). The structures of these products are supported by elemental analysis, i.r., u.v., n.m.r. and its chemical behaviour.