��� trans-1-(2-Pyrrolyl)but-1-en-3-one, trans-1-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolyl)but-1-en-3-one, ethyl trans-2-(2-pyrrolyl)acrylate, ethyl trans-2-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolyl)acrylate, 2-vinylpyrrole, 1-methyl-2-vinylpyrrole, and the cis and trans isomers of 2-styrylpyrrole, 1-methyl-2-styrylpyrrole, and 1-phenyl-2-(2-pyrrolyl)prop-1-ene have been prepared using the Wittig reaction. The electronic and infrared spectra of these compounds are recorded. The modified Wittig reaction, using diethyl phosphonates, is only satisfactory with N-substituted carbonylpyrroles.