“…However, no convincing explanation has yet been given for the preferred formation of the less stable erythro-betaines and cis-olefins in the reaction of nonstabilized ylids with aldehydes in nonpolar media. Bergelson, et al (19,22) have attributed the preferred formation of the erythro-betaine to attraction of the carbonyl oxygen to one of the electron-deficient phenyl {ïroups attached to the phosphorus in the ylid. In the transition state li-ad in)*.…”