Question

This reaction is the basis for a modification that uses electron-deficient reagents in a mixture of KHMDS and 18-crown-6. Semi-stabilized aryl reagents in this reaction do not achieve stereoselectivity, unlike stabilized ester or unstabilized alkyl reagents. Maryanoff and Reitz coined the term “stereochemical drift” to describe the interconversion of betaine intermediates in this reaction, which can be controlled using the Schlosser modification. A modification of this reaction that uses carbanion reagents to preferentially synthesize E products was proposed by Leopold Horner. In lithium-free conditions, this reaction proceeds via a four-atom oxaphosphetane intermediate. For 10 points, name this reaction that uses a triphenyl phosphonium (10[1])ylide (“ILL-id”) reagent to convert (10[1])a carbonyl group into an alkene. ■END■ (0[2])

ANSWER: Wittig (“VIT-ig”) reaction [or Wittig olefination; prompt on Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction until “Horner” is read]
<UBC, Chemistry>
= Average correct buzz position

Back to tossups

Buzzes

PlayerTeamOpponentBuzz PositionValue
Drew WetterlindIowa StateWinona State10210
Foster HughesMinnesota BWisconsin B10610
Nithin MenduWisconsin ACarleton1130
Aaron MarchandCarletonWisconsin A1130

Summary

California2025-02-01Y3100%0%0%88.33
Florida2025-02-01Y250%0%0%102.00
Great Lakes2025-02-01Y560%0%0%102.67
Midwest2025-02-01Y683%0%0%57.60
North2025-02-01Y367%0%0%104.00
Northeast2025-02-01Y560%0%0%49.00
Overflow2025-02-01Y4100%0%0%73.25
South Central2025-02-01Y2100%0%0%67.50
Southeast2025-02-01Y450%0%0%101.50
UK2025-02-01Y1070%0%0%91.43
Upper Mid-Atlantic2025-02-01Y888%0%0%79.29
Upstate NY2025-02-01Y367%0%0%104.50