Abstract Under the action of alkanetellurolate anion phenyl halides undergo aromatic substitution followed by dealkylation of the alkyl phenyl telluride thus formed. The generated benzenetellurolate anion can be either alkylated or oxidized to diphenyl ditelluride, or added to acetylene. Butyl methyl telluride and selenide are demethylated by methanechalcogenolate anions.
