Organic Synthesis with Trialkylphosphine Catalysts. Conjugate Addition of Alcohols to α,β-Unsaturated Alkynic Acid Esters

The conjugate addition of alcohols to α,β-unsaturated alkynic acid esters proceeds under neutral conditions in the presence of a catalytic amount of trialkylphosphine to give the corresponding β-alkoxy-α,β-unsaturated alkenic acid esters in good to excellent yields.