Synthesis and Reactions of Selenothioic Acid S-Esters and Diselenoic Acid Esters

This review describes the synthesis and reactions of selenothioic acid Sesters and diselenoic acid esters. Synthetic work with these substances has provided observations, which have led to a proposal about factors that effect their stability. A survey shows that aliphatic derivatives of selenothioic acid S-esters, although being stable compounds, are highly reactive with various electrophilic and nucleophilic reagents. In addition, (alpha)protons in these esters have high acidities. Studies have shown that the chemistry of these esters can be utilized in the synthesis of new types of organoselenium compounds.