One-pot synthesis of trans-β-alkylstyrenes

One-pot synthesis of (E)-alkenes 5 from the reactions of aldehyde 1 and nitromethane 2 in the acetic acid solution and then with triethylborane 4 in the biphase of diethyl ether and aqueous solution in the presence of oxygen in air was reported. Various (E)-alkenes 7 could also be prepared when different kinds of secondary or tertiary alkyl iodides 6 were used under similar conditions.