Abstract: Nonstabilized salt-free ylides react with aldehydes and nonhindered or strained ketones at-78 OC to give oxaphosphetanes. The Wittig intermediates can be observed by and 'H NMR techniques. In the presence of LiBr, betaine-lithium bromide adducts often precipitate from solution. The oxaphosphetane from PhCHO+ CH2= PPh3 reacts rapidly with LiBr to give a betaine-LiBr adduct, and the corresponding salt Ph, P+ CH2CHOHPh Br- ...