This project involves the formation of strained rings containing both alkoxy and arylphosphonium salt functional groups so that their utility in a tandem ring expansion-Wittig reaction can be assessed. The alkoxycyclopropyl and cyclobutyl phosphonium salts will be prepared from beta-oxophosphonium salt derivatives. Formation of these substituted strained rings has not been reported, so an efficient method leading to their synthesis is of clear value. In addition, their preparation will lend new insights into the reactivity and applications of the beta-oxophosphonium salts, which are themselves important Witting reaction precursors. Finally, the study of the ring cleavage of these strained rings followed by a subsequent Witting reaction will determine whether this method will be suitable for development in more complex systems. %%% Research Planning Grants enable women who have not had prior independent Federal research support to develop a competitive research proposal. This project involves organic chemical reactions leading to medium-sized rings which are common in a large number of natural products.
