Formation of P-ylide under neutral and metal-free conditions: transformation of aziridines and epoxides to conjugated dienes in the presence of phosphine.

A general approach to formation of the P-ylide from the reaction of aziridines or epoxides with organophosphine under neutral and metal-free conditions is realized. Conjugated diene derivatives based on this kind of P-ylide were prepared in a facile and convenient way.