SummaryThe regio-and stereospecific preparation of 8-olefinic triphenylphosphonium calts. starting froim (dio1efin)tricarbonyliron compounds is described. The latter are converted by various routes into either [(allylderivatives. The allylic cations, when reacted with P (C6H5)3. yield uncomplexed (2-en-1-y1)triphenylphosphonium salts in good yields, while treatment of the dienyl cations with P (C6H5), leads to the quantitative formation of (2,4-diene-1-y1)triphenylphosphonium ions still coordinated to the Fe (CO),-moiety. A method of oxidative decomplexation is described, by which the free phosphonium salts can be obtained.All new compounds were characterized by 13C-NMR spectra and also, where necessary, by 'H-NMR decoupling experiments to confirm the stereochemical assignments. Many of the new phosphonium salts, potentially useful as Wittig reagents for natural product syntheses, are difficult to obtain by conventional unequivocal routes.