O-(tert-butyl) Se-phenyl selenocarbonate: A convenient, bench-stable and metal-free precursor of benzeneselenol

Molecular Main Group Metal Hydrides

This review serves to document advances in the synthesis, versatile bonding, and reactivity of molecular main group metal hydrides within Groups 1, 2, and 12-16. Particular attention will be given to the emerging use of said hydrides in the rapidly expanding field of Main Group element-mediated catalysis. While this review is comprehensive in nature, focus will be given to research appearing in the open literature since 2001.

Chemoselective and metal-free reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones by in situ produced benzeneselenol from O-(tert-butyl) Se-phenyl selenocarbonate

The carbon–carbon double bond of arylidene acetones and chalcones can be selectively reduced with benzeneselenol generated in situ by reacting O-(tert-butyl) Se-phenyl selenocarbonate with hydrochloric acid in ethanol. This mild, metal-free and experimentally simple reduction procedure displays considerable functional-group compatibility, products are obtained in good to excellent yields, and the use of toxic Se/CO mixture and NaSeH, or the smelly and air-sensitive benzeneselenol, is avoided.

The carbon–carbon double bond of arylidene acetones and chalcones can be selectively reduced with benzeneselenol generated in situ by reacting O-(tert-butyl) Se-phenyl selenocarbonate with hydrochloric acid in ethanol.