Co-ordination complexes containing multidentate ligands. Part IX. The synthesis and donor properties of the open-chain tetraselenoether, 1,3-bis(methylselenoethylseleno)propane

Abstract

The quadridentate selenoether, 1,3-bis(methylselenoethylseleno)propane, (bsep), has been synthesised from the newly prepared propane-1,3-diselenol, 2-chloroethyl methyl selenide, and sodium methoxide. The ligand forms only insoluble [Pd₂(Se₄)X₄](X = Cl, Br, or I) complexes on reaction with sodium tetrahalogenopalladates(II) and with nickel(II) iodide forms the polymeric octahedral [Ni₂(Se₄)I₄]. The behaviour of bsep is compared with that of the analogous tetrathioethers. Polymeric [NiL′]_n and [PdL′]_n are formed by reaction of propane-1,3-diselenol (L′H₂) and nickel(II) and palladium(II) salts.