Abstract The reaction of nitriles with P 2 Se 5 in the presence of EtOH-H 2 O afforded primary selenocarboxylic amides. The cyclization of these compounds with α-halo ketones afforded a variety of functionalized 1, 3-selenazoles. The use of P 2 Se 5 also allowed the convenient synthesis of selenocarboxylic diamides which were transformed into bis (selenazol-2-yl) alkanes ('bis-selenazoles'). A practical method for the synthesis of selenourea was ...
