A new P-heterocyclic type of phosphonium–iodonium ylides based on dibenzophosphole

A novel mixed phosphonium–iodonium ylide was synthesized by alkylation of 5-phenyl-5H-dibenzophosphole with phenacyl bromide followed by deprotonation and oxidation of the resulting phosphonium ylide with (diacetoxyiodo)- benzene. The influence of the cyclic nature of the phosphonium moiety on the dynamic E/Z isomerism in the mixed ylide is discussed.