21.0 G. (80.2 mmol) of triphenylphosphine were added to a solution of 5.8 g. (36.7 mmol) of 2-hydroxymethyl-3-methyl-5-methoxythiophene in 60 ml. of dry carbon tetrachloride and 80 ml. of toluene. The temperature of the reaction mixture was slowly raised to 80° C. and heating was continued overnight. The resulting precipitate was filtered from the cold solution, washed well with cold benzene and dried in high vacuum to yield (3-methyl-5-methoxy-2-thenyl)triphenyl phosphonium chloride, m.p. 180°-185° C.
