Dilithiated phosphazenes: scaffolds for the synthesis of olefins through a new class of bicyclic 1,2-oxaphosphetanes.

The first examples of the PN-directed dilithiation of (N-methoxycarbonyl)phosphazenes in the C(alpha) and C(ortho) to the phosphorus, and the use of these dianions in the formation of tri- and tetra-substituted olefins through stereospecific thermolysis of a new type of isolable bicyclic 1,2-oxaphosphetanes are described.