One-pot selective oxidation/olefination of primary alcohols using TEMPO–BAIB system and stabilized phosphorus ylides

A one-pot process for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated esters from a variety of alcohols, obtained in good yields and diastereoselectivities, is described. The use of BAIB/TEMPO system at the oxidizing step authorizes the chemoselective homologation of primary alcohols in the presence of secondary ones.