Two carbon homologated (alpha),(beta)-unsaturated aldehydes from alcohols using the in situ oxidation–Wittig reaction

The in situ oxidation–Wittig reaction, followed by subsequent hydrolysis, has been applied to the conversion of primary alcohols into ,(alpha),(beta)unsaturated aldehydes. This conversion, which proceeds via the intermediacy of the homologated unsaturated dioxolanes, gives good to excellent yields with a range of benzylic alcohols and heterocyclic methanols.