Conversion of Amides, <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>,<i>N</i>′,<i>N</i>′-Tetramethylurea, and Esters to the Corresponding Selenoxo Compounds by Treatment with Bis(trimethylsilyl) Selenide and BF3·OEt2

Abstract

Abstract The reactions of amides and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylurea with (Me3Si)2Se in the presence of BF3·OEt2 afforded the corresponding slelenoxo compounds in good yields. On the other hand, selenation of ethyl and butyl benzoates in a similar manner gave benzoin and 2,3,5,6-tetraphenyl-1,4-diselenin via selenoesters. The trapping of selenoesters was also achieved by 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene to afford [4+2] cycloadducts.