Phosphonium salts containing a benzyl group react with alcoholic sodium alkoxide to give hydrocarbon, ether and tertiary phosphine oxide:(RaPeCHZAr) X0+ NaOR'+ R 'OH+ R 8P- o+ CH3Ar+ R'OR'+ NaX. The same products are observed with the corresponding phosphinemethylene and excess alcohol: R3P* CHAr f 2R'OH-. R3P+ 0