title: Catalytic Wittig and aza-Wittig reactions.
abstract: This review surveys the literature regarding the development of catalytic versions of the Wittig and aza-Wittig reactions. The first section summarizes how arsenic and tellurium-based catalytic Wittig-type reaction systems were developed first due to the relatively easy reduction of the oxides involved. This is followed by a presentation of the current state of the art regarding phosphine-catalyzed Wittig reactions. The second section covers the field of related catalytic aza-Wittig reactions that are catalyzed by both phosphine oxides and phosphines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhiqi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lao
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Patrick H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Toy
keywords: Wittig reactions; aza-Wittig reactions; catalysis; phosphine oxides; phosphines; reduction; silanes