Abstract: The pure geometric isomers of l-benzyl-l, 3-dimethylphospholanium bromide (la and lb) have been prepared and were subjected to treatment with aqueous sodium hydroxide. This resulted in the formation of the isomeric 1, 3-dirnethylphospholane 1-oxides (2a and 2b) with complete retention of configuration. Arguments are presented favoring a stereospecific apical-equatorial displacement reaction. Reaction of la and lb with sodium ...
