Synthesis and Reactivity of α- and β-Chloro-α-phenylselanyl Esters

Thermal decomposition of the dichloro-adducts derived from α-phenylselanylesters 1, 2 and 4 has been studied. N-Chlorosuccinimide treatment of esters 2 was an efficient preparative method for α-chloro-α-phenylselanylesters 10 and α-chloro-α,β-unsaturated esters 11. Some transformations of esters 10 were achieved. α,β-Dichloro-α-phenylselanylesters 22 were prepared from β-chloro-α-phenyl-selanylesters 5 or by decomposition of the dichloroselenuranes 21 derived from esters 4.