Reactions of selenothioic acid S-esters with trivalent phosphorus compounds: new synthetic methods for α-phosphoryl alkyl sulfides and alkyl selenides

Abstract

The reaction of selenothioic acid S-esters 1 with trialkyl phosphites proceeds smoothly with the extrusion of selenium atoms to afford α-phosphoryl sulfides 2 in good to high yields. A similar reaction takes place more easily with dimethyl phenylphosphonite and methyl diphenylphosphinite, although the ketene selenothioacetals 3 are also formed as by-products in increased yields. The use of diselenoic acid esters 1f and 1g gives α-phosphoryl selenides 2m and 2n. The products exhibit characteristic chemical shifts and coupling constants in their ³¹P NMR spectra. The structure of α-phosphoryl selenide 2n is confirmed by X-ray molecular structure analysis. The reaction with triphenylphosphine leads to oxidative dimerization of ester 1d to give divinyl diselenide 4 in good yield. A catalytic amount of triphenylphosphine is also effective to form divinyl diselenide 4. The reaction may begin with the nucleophilic attack of triphenylphosphine on the carbon atom of the selenocarbonyl group of ester 1d. Details of the reaction pathway leading to α-phosphoryl sulfides 2 are also discussed. The reaction with menthyl diphenylphosphinite 12 has suggested that the reaction may proceed via initial nucleophilic attack of trivalent phosphorus compounds bearing alkoxy groups on the selenium atom of esters 1. The intermediacy of phosphonium ylide 14 has also been supported by the reaction of the ester 1h which gives 1,4-oxathiane 15.