An efficient route for the synthesis of phosphorus-selenium macro-heterocycles

Abstract

Four-membered ring [PhP(Se)(mu-Se)](2) (Woollins' reagent, WR) reacts with disodium alkenyl-diols followed by in situ ring-closure reaction with appropriate dibromoalkanes affording a series of unusual nine-to fifteen-membered organoselenophosphorus macrocycles bearing the O-P-Se-C-n-Se-P-O or O-P-Se-C-n-O-P-Se linkage.