Michael-type addition of hydroxide to alkynylselenonium salt: practical use as a ketoselenonium ylide precursor

A novel synthetic method of ketodiphenylselenonium ylide from alkynylselenonium salt is described. A reaction of alkynylselenonium salt, hydroxide ion, and aldehyde in the presence of silver triflate and triethylamine gave oxiranylketones just as a trans-isomer in moderate to good yields, whereas benzoyl aziridine derivatives were obtained from the reaction with sodium p-toluenesulfonamide instead of a hydroxide ion.