Seventy years ago, Georg Wittig reported a ground-breaking reaction that revolutionized synthetic organic chemistry: the Wittig olefination. This reaction, which converts carbonyl compounds into their unsaturated analogues via a [2+2] pericyclic mechanism, remains one of the most fundamental and extensively utilized transformations for the synthesis of functional alkenes. Despite numerous adaptations, the classical Wittig reaction continues to be crucial in modern synthetic chemistry, with applications ranging from polymer chemistry and material sciences to drug and natural product synthesis. Even on an industrial scale, the Wittig reaction is frequently pivotal; a prominent example is BASF's ton-scale synthesis of vitamin A and its derivatives. In light of growing environmental concerns, there is an urgent need for more sustainable and greener modifications of this widely used reaction. Recent efforts have focused on developing catalytic versions of the Wittig reaction, using strategies to regenerate phosphine via chemical or electrochemical reduction of the resulting phosphine oxide. Although these methods can recycle by-products, they often generate wasteful by-products themselves, for example when using chemical reductants like phenyl silane (PhSiH3). Additionally, attempts to use water as a reaction medium have been made, but the energy-intensive process of treating aqueous chemical waste often mitigates any environmental and cost benefits. Thus, the development of more sustainable and environmentally benign olefination processes remains a significant challenge.