Abstract β-Ketophopshonium salts of the general structure (C_6 H_5) _3\ mathop P\ limits^ ⊕ CH_2 COR X^ ⊖ can be oxidized by alkylnitrites to form triphenylphosphinoxid and α- ketomitriles. Alkylenphosphoranes triphenylphosphinoxid and α-ketonitriles. Alkylenphosphoranes (A′) can be oxidized in the same manner. For R 1= H, R 2= alkyl the reaction product is nitrile whereas for R 1= alkyl, R 2-alkyl the products are ketoxime ...