Mechanism of the Wittig reaction

Following the initial carbon-carbon bond formation, two intermediates have been identified for the Wittig reaction, a dipolar charge-separated species called a betaine and a four-membered heterocyclic structure referred to as an oxaphosphatane. Cleavage of the oxaphosphatane to alkene and phosphine oxide products is exothermic and irreversible.

1) Nucleophillic attack on the carbonyl

2) Formation of a 4 membered ring

3) Formation of the alkene