Diaryl Diselenides and Related Compounds as Oxygen-Transfer Agents

Abstract

The progress in application of diaryl diselenides and related compounds as transfer agents is presented. The review is limited to the diaryl diselenides having electron-withdrawing substituents, such as nitro, trifluoromethyl, carbamoylphenyl, and polymeric diselenides PADS and PPDS. The methods of their synthesis are described. These compounds are used as effective catalyst for a simple and multi-electron hydroperoxide oxidation of different organic compounds. Transformation of functional groups, cycloalkanones ring contraction, cyclocondensation and degradation of electron–rich arenes is described. Mechanisms of the reactions involved Se(II) and Se(IV) intermediates are discussed.

Keywords:

• Antibiotic
• arene
• carboxylic acid
• catalysis
• diselenide
• lactone
• oxidation
• quinone