Abstract Protonation of the reactive 1:1 intermediate produced in the reaction of acetylenicesters and triphenylphosphine by 6-aminouracil or 6-amino-N,N′-dimethyluracil leads to vinylphosphonium salts, which undergo Michael addition with the conjugate base of the NH acid to produce highly fanctionalized, salt-free phosphorus ylides in excellent yields. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT