Convenient route to dialkyl diselenides from alkyl tosylates. Synthesis of di(cis-myrtanyl) diselenide

A one-step method for the synthesis of dialkyl diselenides, by reaction of alkyl tosylates with sodium diselenide is described. Three variants of the synthesis, using as an example the preparation of optically active di(cis-myrtanyl) diselenide, are compared.