Synthesis and characterization of some α,ω-bis(naphthylseleno)alkanes: X-ray crystal structure of 1,2-bis(1-naphthylseleno)ethane

α,ω-Bis(naphthylseleno)alkanes [C10H7Se(CH2)nSeC10H7] (1a–c), where n = 1–3, have been prepared through two different methods. One of the two methods involves the alkylation of sodium 1-naphthylselenolate, generated by the Se–Se bond reduction of dinaphthyl diselenide using hydrazine hydrate while the other involves the reaction of in situ generated α-naphthylselenomagnesium bromide with the appropriate dihaloalkane. The synthesized α,ω-bis(naphthylseleno)alkanes (1a–c) have been characterized with the help of elemental analysis and various spectroscopic techniques viz., multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C, 77Se), IR, UV–Vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. X-ray crystallographic results and molecular geometry of 1,2-bis(1-naphthylseleno)ethane (1b) has also been illustrated.