The Horner-Emmons-Wadsworth reaction of eta(6)-benzylphosphonate compl
exes 1 with aldehydes, dialdehydes and ketones 2 with sodium hydride a
s a base in boiling THF gives rise to areneCr(CO)(3) substituted trans
-alkenes 3 in moderate to good yields. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Ltd.