The preparation of several vinyl sulfides, selenides and tellurides by
Wittig-type reaction in a one-pot procedure is described. The chalcog
enyl triphenylphosphoranes 3 are formed ''in situ'' by the reaction of
chloromethyl phenyl chalcogenide, potassium tert-butoxide and triphen
ylphosphine. Reaction of 3 with carbonyl compounds affords the vinyl c
halcogenides 6-9 with preferential Z-configuration.