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The key step in the trans-selective modification of the Wittig reaction is the alpha-lithiation of the lithium bromide coordinated ylide-aldehyde adduct (the so-called "P-betaine"). Only phenyllithium effects this deprotonation rapidly and cleanly. Alkyllithiums (in particular, butyl-, sec-butyl-, and tert-butyllithium) react only sluggishly and incompletely, being tied up in very stable mixed aggregates with the lithium alkoxide part of the betaines.
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Wang et al. (2003) studied this question.
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