Nitrile ylides synthon generation

The 4-phospha-1,3-butadiene 77/80 serves as an effective synthon for the unknown H-substituted nitrile ylide 79 in [3+ 2]-cycloaddition reactions with a range of electron-poor dipolarophUes (e.g., reaction with DMAD gave 78 in 80% yield). Similar yields were also obtained using methyl propiolate, azodicaboxylic esters, ethyl acrylate, and acrylonitrile (39). The reactant was generated under very mild conditions from 75 as shown below. 

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