Answer
🧪 Overview of the Wittig Reaction
The Wittig reaction is used to convert a carbonyl compound (typically an aldehyde or ketone) into an alkene using a phosphonium ylide.
🔧 Required Reagents:
- Triphenylphosphine (PPh₃): Reacts with an alkyl halide to form a phosphonium salt, a precursor to the ylide.
- Alkyl halide (e.g., CH₃Br): Used to alkylate triphenylphosphine and form the phosphonium salt.
- Base (e.g., BuLi or NaH): Deprotonates the phosphonium salt to generate the ylide.
- Aldehyde or Ketone: The carbonyl compound that reacts with the ylide to form the alkene.
🚫 Which is NOT Always Required?
- In a fully prepared Wittig reaction, the actual transformation involves the ylide and a carbonyl compound.
- If a pre-made ylide is available, the reaction can proceed without needing an alkyl halide or even triphenylphosphine.
✘ An alkyl halide is not required if the ylide is already prepared.
✅ Triphenylphosphine and an aldehyde are essential in forming the ylide and reacting with it.
✅ Final Answer:
Correct option: An alkyl halide
