Synlett

Conditions-driven selective synthesis of selenides and selenols from elemental selenium

A Krief, M Trabelsi, W Dumont, M Derock

Index: Krief, Alain; Trabelsi, Mahmoud; Dumont, Willy; Derock, Michel Synlett, 2004 , # 10 p. 1751 - 1754

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Citation Number: 1

Abstract

Abstract Sodium borohydride in DMF is able to reduce elemental selenium in the presence of ethanol. Alkylation of the species resulting from the reaction of 2: 1 molar equivalents of NaBH 4/Se allows the selective synthesis, under very mild conditions, of symmetrical dialkyl selenides. Addition of formic acid, prior to that of the electrophile, permits the synthesis of the corresponding selenols.