An olefination in solution using the same substrates and achieving a similar yield of 90% is described in the literature (Figure , top, left). In this conventional method, the ylide from PPh₃MeBr is pre-formed at 0 °C in THF under an inert atmosphere, using an excess of the highly pyrophoric and oxygen-sensitive base n-BuLi. The resulting solution is stirred for 30 minutes at 0 °C. After the addition of aldehyde I, the reaction is allowed to reach room temperature and stirred for 12 hours until complete conversion.