Transition-metal-free synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl chalcogenides from arenes and diaryl dichalcogenides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo302480j

A transition-metal-free synthetic method has been developed for the synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl chalcogenides (S, Se, and Te) from diaryl dichalcogenides and arenes under oxidative conditions by using potassium persulfate at room temperature. Variously substituted arenes such as anisole, thioanisole, diphenyl ether, phenol, naphthol, di- and trimethoxy benzenes, xylene, mesitylene, N,N-dimethylaniline, bromine-substituted arenes, naphthalene, and diaryl dichalcogenides underwent carbon-chalcogen bond-forming reaction to give unsymmetrical diaryl chalcogenides in trifluoroacetic acid. To understand the mechanistic part of the reaction, a detailed in situ characterization of the intermediates has been carried out by ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy by using diphenyl diselenide as the substrate. ⁷⁷Se NMR study suggests that electrophilic species ArE⁺ is generated by the reaction of diaryl dichalcogenide with persulfate in trifluoroacetic acid. The electrophilic attack of arylchalcogenium ion on the arene may be responsible for the formation of the aryl-chalcogen bond.

Full text of DOI:10.1021/jo302480j

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Article
Transition Metal Free Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Diaryl
Chalcogenides from Arenes and Diaryl Dichalcogenides
Ch Durga Prasad, Shah Jaimin Balkrishna, Amit Kumar, Bhagat Singh
Bhakuni, Kaustubh Shrimali, Soumava Biswas, and Sangit Kumar
J. Org. Chem., Just Accepted Manuscript • DOI: 10.1021/jo302480j • Publication Date (Web): 17 Jan 2013
Downloaded from http://pubs.acs.org on January 18, 2013
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Page 1 of 32
The Journal of Organic Chemistry
Transition Metal Free Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Diaryl Chalcogenides
from Arenes and Diaryl Dichalcogenides
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Ch Durga Prasad, Shah Jaimin Balkrishna, Amit Kumar, Bhagat Singh Bhakuni, Kaustubh
Shrimali, Soumava Biswas, Sangit Kumar*
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Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, MP 462
023, India
E-mail: sangitkumar@iiserb.ac.in
Abstract: A transition metal free synthetic method has been developed for the synthesis of
unsymmetrical diaryl chalcogenides (S, Se, and Te) from diaryl dichalcogenides and arenes under
oxidative conditions by using potassium persulfate at room temperature. Variously substituted arenes
such as anisole, thioanisole, diphenyl ether, phenol, naphthol, di- and trimethoxy benzenes, xylene,
mesitylene, N,N-dimethylaniline, bromine substituted arenes, naphthalene and diaryl dichalcogenides
underwent carbon-chalcogen bond forming reaction to give unsymmetrical diaryl chalcogenides in
trifluoroacetic acid. To understand the mechanistic part of the reaction, a detailed in-situ
characterization of the intermediates has been carried out by 77Se NMR spectroscopy by using diphenyl
diselenide as the substrate. 77Se NMR study suggests that electrophilic species ArE+ is generated by the
reaction of diaryl dichalcogenide with persulfate in trifluoroacetic acid. The electrophilic attack of
arylchalcogenium ion on the arene may be responsible for the formation of the aryl-chalcogen bond.
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Introduction
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The formation of the aryl C-E (S/Se/Te) bond is one of the fundamental reactions in organic synthesis,
and represents a key step for the construction of a broad range of organic molecules, which are of
paramount importance in drugs, functional materials, and metal complexes.1-3 The carbon-chalcogen
coupling reactions were mainly achieved in two pathways: a) transtion metal catalyzed coupling of aryl
halides with aryl chalcogenide precursors (Scheme 1);4-7 b) conventional methods in which aryllithiums/
aryl Grignard reagents were coupled with aryl dichalcogenide precursors.8 The synthesis of diaryl
chalcogenides from arenes has been rarely described in the literature.9,10 Recently, copper-catalyzed
synthesis of diaryl chalcogenides from arenes and diaryl disulfides has been reported using oxygen as an
oxidant.9i However, only trimethoxy benzene was found to be an efficient substrate for C-S coupling
and the reaction required high temperature. Beller et al. have reported a Pd-catalyzed synthesis of diaryl
sulfides through C-H activation of arenes.9j Nonetheless, arylsulfonyl cyanide (ArSCN) was required as
an arylsulfur substrate in this methodology. The corresponding selenium and tellurium analogues of
arylsulfonyl cyanides are not easily available.
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Scheme 1. Synthesis of Diorganochalcogenides
In view of the above mentioned facts, a method which avoids transition metal catalyst, aryl chalcogenyl
halides (ArEX), longer reaction time, and high temperature would be highly desirable for the synthesis
of diaryl chalcogenides.
The synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl selenides by the coupling of phenylselenenyl sulfate
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(PhSeOSO3 ) with arenes under refluxing conditions without using any transition metal catalyst has
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been reported in 1996 by Engman et al.10b However, synthesis of diaryl sulfide and telluride has not
been described. Similarly, other methods have also been reported which are limited to the synthesis of
diaryl selenides.10a,d-f
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We envisioned utilizing diaryl dichalcogenide and arene substrates in the Pd-catalyzed oxidative
coupling reaction.11 Diaryl dichalcogenides are readily available substrates and have been used in many
transition metal catalyzed coupling reactions.5l,6a,7a,d-f,9i Surprisingly, the reaction also proceeded in the
absence of a palladium catalyst, and the presence of potassium persulfate is sufficient for the formation
of aryl-sulfur bond. Indeed, slightly better yield of diaryl sulfide 1 was obtained in the absence of
palladium catalyst (85% with and 89% without Pd(OAc)2). In continuation of our work on the synthesis
of organochalcogenides and coupling reactions,12 herein, we present a transition metal free methodology
for the synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl chalcogenides from arenes and diaryl dichalcogenide
substrates at room temperature. By using this alternative chemical reaction, a series of diaryl
chalcogenides, particularly electron rich diaryl chalcogenides can be synthesized from diaryl
dichalcogenide precursors and arenes in the presence of potassium persulfate without using any
transition metal catalyst.
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Results and Discussion
Optimization of reaction conditions was carried out in the presence of various oxidants with diphenyl
disulfide and anisole in trifluoroacetic acid TFA (Table 1).
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Table 1. Optimization of Reaction Conditionsa
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Entry
Oxidant
H2O2
Isolated Yield (%) Entry
Oxidant
K2S2O8
K2S2O8
(NH4)2S2O8
Na2S2O8
Oxone
Isolated Yield (%)
b
1
-
9e
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80
89
74
45
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2
tBuOOH
mCPBA
AgOAc
Ag2SO4
Cu(OAc)2
K2S2O8
K2S2O8
20
52
10f
11d
12d
13d
14d
15 g
16h
3
b
4
-
b
5
-
6
40
70
89
Py-SO3
-
7c
8d
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b
b
K2S2O8
-
a Reaction was carried out at 1 mmol scale using 5 equiv of anisole, 1 equiv of diphenyl disulfide and 2
equiv of oxidant in 5 equiv of TFA, otherwise noticed. b Product was not observed by TLC. c,d,e,f 1, 2, 3,
and 4 equiv of K2S2O8 were used respectively. Reaction was carried out in the absence of K2S2O8.
Instead of TFA, DMF and DMSO were used.
g
h
Oxidants such as tert-butyl hydroperoxide and meta-chloroperbenzoic acid were found to be less
effective and gave 1 in 20% and 52% yields, respectively and hydrogen peroxide was ineffective
(entries 1-3, Table 1). Silver acetate and silver sulfate were found to be inactive for C-S bond formation
despite the complete conversion of diaryl disulfide. The use of potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) provided
a better yield (70-89%) in TFA. We have also screened other sulfur containing oxidants such as oxone,
sodium persulfate, ammonium persulfate and pyridine sulfur trioxide complex. Out of these, the
persulfate oxidants resulted in good yields of diaryl sulfide 1 (entries 11-14, Table 1). It was observed
that the five equivalents of TFA are optimum to achieve high yield of diaryl sulfide 1. Furthermore,
presence of TFA seems to be crucial as the reaction failed to yield the corresponding diaryl sulfide in
the absence of TFA (entry 16, Table 1).
After screening various solvents and oxidants, we decided to use K2S2O8 as an oxidant and TFA as a
solvent to study the scope of this reaction. Under these conditions, a series of arenes were utilized for
the synthesis of diaryl sulfides (1-28) and the results are presented in Table 2.
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Table 2. Synthesis of Diaryl Sulfides
1
Entry
Arene
ArSSAr
Product
Yield (%)a
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3
4
1
1 (89)
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6
7
8
9
S)2
S)2
S)2
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3
4
2 (45)
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3 (73)
4a ortho OH (28)
4b para OH (64)
S)2
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6
5 R= Me (85)
6 R= tBu (74)
S
S)2
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8
7 b (52)
8 (75)
OH
Br
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9 R = H (92)
10 R = OMe (96)
11 R = Me (94)
S)2
S)2
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12 (55)
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14
13 R = H (86)
14 R = OMe (92)
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17
15 R = H (94)
16 R = Me (75)
17 R = OMe (78)
18 (trace) (30)c,d
18
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19 (72)
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20 (68)
21 (76)
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22 X = CO2H (12) (55)c
23 X = NH2 (7) (48)c
24 (10) (54)c
25 (74)
24
25
S)2
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26 (62)
S)2
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28
27 (72)
28 (76)
S)2
a Isolated yield. b Structure of 7 was established by 1D-NOE NMR. c Reaction was carried out at 80 oC. d
Formation of 4,4'-methylenebis(N,N-dimethylaniline) (50%) was noticed. Structures of diaryl sulfides
were established by 13C DEPT-135 NMR and by comparing with the reported NMR data.
Arenes with electron donating functional groups such as methoxy, dimethoxy, trimethoxy, methyl thio
and alkyl substituents underwent C-S bond formation readily and produced a moderate to good yield of
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The Journal of Organic Chemistry
respective diaryl sulfides. Most of the arenes gave monosubstituted arylsulfides, however, 1,2-
dimethoxybenzene, para xylene, phenyl ether, and naphthalene underwent double C-S bond formation
and produced corresponding bisaryl sulfides exclusively (entries 8, 12, 27 and 28, Table 2). The
synthesis of monosubstituted arylsulfides in the above arenes was not successful despite varying the
reaction conditions. Arenes with OH functionality such as phenol, substituted phenols, and naphthol
also underwent C-S coupling reaction (entries 4-7, 26, Table 2). Synthesis of chalcogen substituted
phenolic compounds is difficult due to presence of acidic OH proton. Here, a series of phenolic
compounds were exploited in arylthiolation reaction and the desired phenolic sulfides 4a, 4b, 5-7 and 26
were obtained in a one pot reaction.
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After studying the hydroxyl substituted arenes, we turned our attention to amino substituted
arenes. It was observed that aniline was unreactive under optimized reaction conditions. N,N,-
Dimethylaniline underwent coupling reaction sluggishly under heating and yielded the respective diaryl
sulfide in poor yield (entry 18, Table 2). Additionally, formation of the C-C coupled product, 4,4'-
methylenebis(N,N-dimethylaniline) was noticed. Arenes with a bromine substituent also underwent C-S
bond formation to give the desired diaryl sulfides 2, 7, and 21. Next, substituted diaryl disulfides were
explored in the coupling reaction for the synthesis of substituted diaryl sulfides (entries 10, 11, 16, 17
and 22-24, Table 2). To our delight, the diaryl disulfides having substituents such as Me, OMe, CO2H,
and NH2 reacted with arene smoothly and yielded desired sulfides in moderate to excellent yield. The
structure of 2-(mesitylthio)benzoic acid 22 was also established by single crystal X-ray diffraction
(Figure 1).13
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Figure 1. X-Ray Structure of 22. Structure shows strong intramolecular S…O interaction.
Intramolecular S(1)…O(1) distance (2.747Å) is significantly shorter than the sum of their van der Waals
radii (S + O: 3.30 Å).
Similar to substituted aryl disulfides, benzyl disulfide was also exploited for the synthesis of benzyl aryl
sulfide 20 under optimized reaction conditions.
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The Journal of Organic Chemistry
Table 3. Synthesis of Diaryl Selenides/ Tellurides
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Entry Arene
1
(ArE)2-
Product
Isolated Yield
29a ortho E = Se (36)a
29b para E = Se (49)a
30 para E = Te (64)
31a ortho (38)a
2
3
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31b para (47)a
4
5
32 E = Se (92)
33 E = Te (60)
6
34 (93)
7
8
35 X = H (95)
36 X = Br (62)
9
37 (94)
38 (55)
39 (57)
10
11
12
13
40 E = Se (94)
41 E = Te (71)
14
15
42 (82)
43 (67)
a Both products are isolated.
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Next, synthesis of diaryl selenides and tellurides was studied under optimized reaction conditions (Table
3). Electrophilic selenation in arenes such as phenol, anisole, N,N-dimethyl aniline, and thiophene under
refluxing conditions has been reported by using phenylselenenyl sulfate.10b,c To see the compatibility of
diaryl diselenide in our reaction conditions, various arenes were explored. As expected, diaryl and
dialkyl diselenides were reacted with arenes in a similar fashion as diaryl disulfides and a series of
diaryl selenides (29, 31, 32, 34-40, 42, and 43) were obtained in moderate to excellent (55-95%) yields.
Similarly, synthesis of diaryl tellurides 30, 33, and 41 was achieved. However, oxidation of diaryl
tellurides (Ar2Te) into corresponding telluroxides (Ar2Te=O), presumably due to oxidative reaction
conditions, was observed during the progress of the reaction. Diaryl telluroxides were readily converted
back into diaryl telluride by reducing the reaction mixture with sodium sulfite. Tellurium substituted
phenols have attracted considerable interest in biology attributed to their promising antioxidant
function.14 The introduction of aryltellurium in phenol is challenging. By using this methodology,
tellurium substituted phenolic antioxidants 30 and 41 were obtained in 64 and 71% yield, respectively in
a one pot.
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Scheme 2. Synthesis of Selenophene
The carbon-selenium coupling was also applied for the synthesis of selenophene 44 (Scheme 2).
n
Reported synthetic protocols involve 2-iodo-phenethyl-2-bromide substrate and Bu3SnH,15 or sodium
benzylselenolate (BenzSe+Na-) and butyl ditelluride reagents16,2c for the synthesis of selenophene
analogues. Here, synthesis of selenophene 44 was achieved in one pot from readily accessible
diphenethyl diselenide.
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It is worth comparing the reactivity of diphenyl disulfide, diselenide and ditelluride in the persulfate
mediated carbon-chalcogen bond forming reaction. In a few examples, diphenyl disulfide produced
dithiolated products when reacted with arenes (entries 8, 12, 27, and 28, Table 2), whereas diselenide
and ditelluride selectively yielded monoselenated and tellurated compounds, respectively, under similar
reaction conditions (Table 3). Diaryl sulfides and selenides were not oxidized into respective sulfoxides
and selenoxides under oxidative reaction conditions. On the other hand, diaryl tellurides were
completely converted into respective telluroxides. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out reductive
workup of the reaction mixture in the case of diaryl telluride synthesis.
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Mechanistic Study
Scheme 3. Proposed Mechanism for C-E Bond Formation
Possible reaction pathways for potassium persulfate mediated synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl
chalcogenides are depicted in Scheme 3. It seems that potassium persulfate at first reacts with phenyl
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dichalcogenide and forms phenylchalcogenium ion intermediates I and II. Electrophilic addition of
phenylchalcogenium ion with the electron rich arene generates the arenium ion intermediate V, which
may give the product diaryl sulfide 1 by release of the proton (major pathway, Scheme 3). The presence
of potassium persulfate and TFA seems to be crucial for the formation of diarylchalcogenide in the
reaction mixture, as the reaction failed to provide sulfide 1 in the absence of both reagents. In another
minor pathway (A, Scheme 3), diaryl chalcogenide could also be formed via generation of
benzenechalcogeninic acid (PhEO2H) from diphenyl dichalcogenide and potassium persulfate.
Electrophilic substitution of benzeneseleninic acid into arenes would give diaryl chalcogenides.10f Since
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t
diaryl sulfide 1 was also formed in the presence of BuOOH and mCPBA (entries 2-3, Table 1), and
trace amount of benzeneseleninic anhydride was detected in mass spectrometry, therefore, it can be
concluded that the formation of diarylchalcogenides may also be possible via arylchalcogeninic acid
intermediate.
O
O S O
O
O
O S O Se
O
Se
IV
III
Figure 2. 77Se NMR (CDCl3) Spectra of the Proposed Intermediate
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77
Mechanism of this reaction was also studied by Se NMR spectroscopy by taking diphenyl diselenide
1
2
3
as a substrate. Electronic nature of 77Se nucleus in the organoselenium compounds can be very well
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correlated with its NMR chemical shift due to its high sensitivity in NMR. Moreover, based on Se
7
8
NMR study, it is possible to propose the structure of the intermediate involved in the reaction by
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comparing the Se NMR chemical shift value with the related organoselenium compounds. Equimolar
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reaction mixture of diphenyl diselenide and potassium persulfate in TFA gave a signal at 788.4 ppm
attributed to intermediate III. The intermediate III has been proposed by Tiecco et al. and also the
electrophilic nature of selenium in the intermediate III is well illustrated in a series of electrophilic
phenylselenation reactions with alkenes.17 Nonetheless, characterization and electrophilic nature of
intermediate III have not been studied by 77Se NMR. 77Se NMR chemical shift of proposed intermediate
III was signficantly downfield shifted by 327 ppm as compared to the diphenyl diselenide (δ 461 ppm)
and upfield shifted by 80 ppm as compared to phenylselenenyl bromide, PhSeBr (δ 869 ppm) and the
related organoselenenyl bromides (δ 800±50 ppm).18 Downfield 77Se NMR chemical shift value clearly
indicates a significant positive charge on the selenium nucleus which makes it a better electrophile for
the selenation reaction. Reaction mixture of diphenyl diselenide and potassium persulfate in solvent
DMSO-d6 or CDCl3 in the absence of TFA yielded no change in the 77Se NMR chemical shift of
diphenyl diselenide. Similarly, 77Se NMR chemical shift remains unchanged in the absence of
potassium persulfate, which suggests that the presence of TFA and potassium persulfate are crucial for
the generation of PhSe+ from diphenyl diselenide.
To see experimentally whether diaryl dichalcogenide serves as an electrophile in the reaction,
phenylselenenyl bromide (PhSeBr) was used as a selenium source which could serve as a better
electrophile (Scheme 4). Indeed, anisole reacted much faster with phenylselenenyl bromide and gave
quantitative yield (94%) of diaryl selenide in 3 h.
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Scheme 4. Synthesis of Diaryl Selenide using Phenylselenenyl Bromide
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a
Observed in the ES-MS spectra.b Isolated yield.c Relative ration of 46 and 47 was observed by GC-
study.
We also studied the reaction of electron poor benzonitrile and chlorobenzene with phenylselenenyl
bromide in TFA. Benzonitrile reacted sluggishly with phenylselenenyl bromide and expected selenide
45 was not isolated, but its presence was detected by ES-MS. However, the formation of selenanthrene
46 was observed quantitatively in the reaction. Chlorobenzene smoothly reacted with phenylselenenyl
bromide and produced para-chlorophenyl phenyl selenide 47 in 73% yield along with the cyclized
selenanthrene 46 in 27% yield, which was monitored by GC-MS study.
Summary
In conclusion, we have presented a transition metal free method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical
diaryl sulfides from arenes and readily available diaryl disulfide substrates. Unsymmetrical diaryl
sulfides having various functional groups have been synthesized using potassium persulfate in TFA at
room temperature. Also, this methodology was successfully extended to the synthesis of diaryl selenides
and tellurides. 77Se NMR study of the reaction reveals that reaction proceeds by the generation of
arylchalcogenium ion, which adds to arene leading to the carbon-chalcogen bond formation. This simple
transition metal free methodology could be useful for the synthesis of substituted diaryl and arylalkyl
chalcogenides from arenes using readily available reagent potassium persulfate.
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The Journal of Organic Chemistry
Experimental Section
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All NMR experiments were carried out on 400 MHz spectrometer in DMSO-d6 or CDCl3 and NMR
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chemical shifts are reported in ppm referenced to the solvent peaks of CDCl3 (7.26 ppm for H and
77.16 (±0.06) ppm for 13C, respectively) or DMSO-d6 (2.50 ppm for H and 39.50 ppm for 13C,
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respectively). The 77Se and 125Te NMR spectra were obtained at 76.31 and 126.24 MHz, respectively, in
CDCl3 using diphenyl diselenide and diphenyl ditelluride as external standards. Chemical shifts are
reported relative to dimethyl selenide (77Se) and dimethyl telluride (125Te) (0 ppm) by assuming that the
resonance of the standards are at 461 and 421 ppm, respectively. High resolution mass spectra (HRMS)
80
are reported for ions of Se. Mass analysis is performed on quadruple-time of a flight (Q-TOF) mass
spectrometer equipped with an ESI (+ve) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source.
Phenyl disulfide, 2,2’-dithiodibenzoic acid, and phenyl diselenide were used as received from Aldrich.
Substituted aryl disulfides like benzyl disulfide, 4-methylphenyl disulfide, 4-methoxyphenyl disulfide,
and 2-aminophenyl disulfide were prepared by the oxidation of respective thiols by using tert-butyl
hydroperoxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylbenzylamine ditelluride. Silica gel
(100-200 mesh size) was used for column chromatography. TLC analysis of reaction mixtures was
performed using silica gel plates. Reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature.
General procedure for the synthesis of diaryl chalcogenides.
A single neck round bottom flask (5 ml) containing TFA (0.4 mL, 4.5 mmol) is charged with anisole
(495 mg, 4.5 mmol), diphenyl disulfide (200 mg, 0.9 mmol), and potassium persulfate (495 mg, 1.8
mmol). The resulted reaction mixture was stirred for 16 h at room temperature. For the synthesis of
compounds 18, and 22-24, reaction mixture was heated at 80 °C. The progress of the reaction was
monitored by TLC. Reaction mixture was stirred for 8h (3, 6-8, 12, 13, 15-17, 19, 22, 24, 27, 36, and
42), 12h (5, 25, 26, 28, 43, and 44), 16h (1, 2, 4, 9-11, 14, 18, 20, 21, 23, 29, 30-35, and 37-41). After
completion of the reaction, water (100 mL) was added to the brownish solid and stirred for 30 minutes.
Reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (15 mL x 3), dried over Na2SO4, concentrated on
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rotary evaporator. Crude product was purified by column chromatography using silica gel as stationary
phase and hexane as eluent to obtain diaryl sulfide 1 as colorless liquid. Yield 0.35 g, (89%).
Compounds with COOH and NH2 functional groups 22-24, are obtained by carrying aqueous NaHCO3
work-up and for tellurides 30, 33, and 41, aqueous NaHSO3 work-up is carried out.
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(4-Methoxyphenyl)(phenyl)sulfane (1). Light yellow oil.7a,19 Yield: 0.35 g (89%); 1H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3)  7.48 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.25 (m, 5H), 6.96 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 3.86 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (100
MHz, CDCl3)  159.9, 138.7, 135.4, 131.0, 129.0, 128.3, 125.8, 124.4, 115.1, 55.4. HRMS-ES+ m/z:
216.0628 (calculated for C13H12OS: 216.0609).
(3-Bromo-4-methoxyphenyl)(phenyl)sulfane (2). White solid. Yield: 0.12 g (45%); mp 96-98 °C. 1H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.80 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.65-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.59 (dd, J = 8.5, 2.0 Hz, 1H),
7.52-7.46 (m, 3H), 6.96 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 3.92 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  158.2, 145.4,
138.1, 131.2, 130.0, 129.4, 125.9, 124.6, 112.9, 112.2, 56.5. HRMS-APCI+ m/z: 293.9698 (calculated
for C13H11BrOS: 293.9708).
1
Methyl(4-(phenylthio)phenyl)sulfane (3). Colorless oil.20 Yield: 0.15 g (73%); H NMR (400 MHz,
13
CDCl3)  7.37-7.31 (m, 6H), 7.28-7.22 (m, 3H), 2.51 (s, 3H). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  138.3,
136.6, 132.4, 130.2, 129.2, 127.2, 126.8, 15.8. HRMS-ES+ m/z: 232.0369 (calculated for C13H12S2:
232.0375).
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2-(Phenylthio)phenol (4a). Light brown oil.21 Yield: 0.10 g (28%); H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.56
(dd, J = 7.7, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.44-7.39 (m, 1H), 7.30-7.23 (m, 2H), 7.22 - 7.15 (m, 1H), 7.14 - 7.08 (m,
3H), 7.02 - 6.96 (m, 1H), 6.55 (s, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  157.3, 136.9, 135.9, 132.3, 129.2,
126.9, 126.2, 121.3, 116.3, 115.6. HRMS-ES+ m/z: 201.0399 (calculated for C12H10OS - H+: 201.0369).
4-(Phenylthio)phenol (4b). Light brown oil.7e,20 Yield: 0.18 g (64%); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) 
7.42-7.37 (dt, J = 8.5, 2.1 Hz, 2H), 7.30-7.24 (m, 2H), 7.22-7.15 (m, 3H), 6.88 - 6.84 (dt, J = 8.5, 2.0
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The Journal of Organic Chemistry
Hz, 2H), 5.84 - 4.50 (bs, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  156.0, 138.5, 135.6, 129.0, 128.3, 125.9,
124.5, 116.5. GCMS-ES+ m/z: 202.0 (calculated for C12H10OS - H+: 202.0).
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4-Methyl-2-(phenylthio)phenol (5). Light yellow oil.22 Yield: 0.17 g (85%); H NMR (400 MHz,
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CDCl3)  7.26 (d, J = 1.5Hz, 1H), 7.18-7.12 (m, 2H), 7.11-7.03 (m, 2H), 7.03-6.98 (m, 2H), 6.89 (d, J =
8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.27 (s, 1H), 2.20 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  155.1, 136.9, 136.1, 133.0,
130.6, 129.2, 126.8, 126.0, 115.8, 115.3, 20.3. GCMS-ES+ m/z: 216.0 (calculated for C12H12OS: 216.0).
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4-(tert-Butyl)-2-(phenylthio)phenol (6). Light yellow solid.21 Yield: 0.175 g (74%); mp 65-67 °C. 1H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.61 (d, J = 2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (dd, J = 8.6, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.32-7.26 (m, 2H),
13
7.22-7.17 (m, 1H), 7.16-7.11 (m, 2H), 7.08 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 6.41(s, 1H), 1.37 (s, 9H). C NMR
(100 MHz, CDCl3)  155.0, 144.3, 136.2, 133.6, 129.6, 129.2, 126.6, 126.0, 115.3, 115.1, 34.3, 31.5.
HRMS-ES+m/z: 259.1163 (calculated for C16H18OS + H+: 259.1151).
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2-Bromo-6-(phenylthio)phenol (7). Brown oil. Yield: 0.13 g (52%); H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) 
7.61 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.34 (dd, J = 8.5, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.32-7.20 (m, 5H), 7.03 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H),
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5.76 (bs, 1H). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  152.4, 137.2, 136.4, 134.3, 129.2, 129.2, 126.7, 126.5,
116.9, 110.7. HRMS-APCI+ m/z: 280.9622 (calculated for C12H19BrOS + H+: 280.9630).
(4,5-Dimethoxy-1,2-phenylene)bis(phenylsulfane) (8). White solid.23 Yield: 0.12 g (75%); mp 94-96
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°C. H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.33-7.24 (m, 10H), 6.87 (s, 2H), 3.76 (s, 6). C NMR (100 MHz,
CDCl3)  149.3, 136.4, 129.9, 129.2, 129.1, 126.7, 116.1, 56.0. HRMS-ES+m/z: 354.0738 (calculated
for C20H17O2S2 + H+: 354.0743).
(2,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)(phenyl)sulfane (9). Light yellow solid.9i Yield: 0.21 g (92%); mp 62-64 °C. 1H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.40 (d, J = 8.4Hz, 1H), 7.29-7.22 (m, 2H), 7.22-7.13 (m, 3H), 6.59-6.52
13
(m, 2H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.83 (s, 3H). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  162.0, 160.5, 137.9, 136.8, 128.8,
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127.7, 125.5, 112.2, 105.5, 99.4, 56.0, 55.5. HRMS-ES+ m/z: 269.0603 (calculated for C14H14O2S +
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Na+: 269.0607).
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2,4-(Dimethoxyphenyl)(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfane (10). Light yellow oil. Yield: 0.19 g (96%); H
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NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.29 (d, J =8.0Hz, 2H), 7.10 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.85 (d, J = 12 Hz, 2H),
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6.51 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.45 (dd, J =8.0, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.80 (s, 3H) . C
NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  160.7, 158.9, 158.8, 133.4, 132.7, 126.3, 115.8, 114.7, 105.2, 99.1, 55.9,
55.5, 55.3. HRMS-ES+ m/z: 299.0709 (calculated for C15H16O3S + Na+: 299.0712).
2,4-(Dimethoxyphenyl)(4-methylphenyl)sulfane (11). White solid.9j Yield: 0.3 g (94%); mp 71-73 °C.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.25 (d, J =8.3Hz, 1H), 7.12 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.05 (d, J = 8.0 Hz,
2H), 6.52 (d, J = 2.5 Hz, 1H), 6.46 (dd, J =8.5, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 3.80 (d, J = 2.8 Hz, 6H), 2.29 (s, 3H). 13C
NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  161.4, 159.9, 135.8, 135.5, 133.5, 129.7, 129.0, 113.6, 105.4, 99.2, 56.0,
21.0. GCMS-ES+m/z: 260.1 (calculated for C15H16O2S : 260.1).
(2,5-Dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)bis-(phenylsulfane) (12). White solid.24 Yield: 0.16 g (55%); mp 55-57
°C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) 7.35- 7.24 (m, 10H), 7.20 (s, 2H), 2.31 (s, 6H).13C NMR (100 MHz,
CDCl3)  137.9, 135.7, 134.4, 133.5, 129.9, 129.2, 126.6, 20.0. HRMS-ES+m/z: 322.0854 (calculated
for C20H18S2: 322.0844).
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(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)(phenyl)sulfane (13). White solid.25 Yield: 0.2 g (86%); mp 61-63 °C. H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)7.45 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 7.36 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.30 (m, 2H), 6.88 (s, 1H),
6.75 (s, 1H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.59 (s, 3H).13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 151.3, 151.2, 134.4, 131.6, 129.2,
127.2, 126.8, 123.9, 115.2, 114.6. HRMS-APCI+m/z: 246.0713 (calculated for C14H14O2S: 246.0709).
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Phenyl(2,3,5-trimethoxyphenyl)sulfane (14). White solid.9i Yield: 0.23 g (92%); mp 56-58 °C; H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.15-7.07 (m, 2H), 7.05-6.97 (m, 3H), 6.83 (s, 1H), 6.47 (s, 1H), 3.80 (s,
3H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.65 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  154.5, 150.8, 143.5, 137.3, 128.8, 127.6,
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The Journal of Organic Chemistry
125.5, 118.9, 110.7, 98.0, 57.0, 56.5, 56.2. HRMS-ES+ m/z: 299.0709 (calculated for C15H16O3S + Na+:
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299.0712).
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Mesityl(phenyl)sulfane (15). Colorless oil.5o Yield: 0.2 g (94%); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.23 (t,
J = 8.14 Hz, 2H), 7.13-7.08 (m,3H), 7.00 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H), 2.46 (s, 3H), 2.39 (s, 3H).13C NMR (100
MHz, CDCl3)  143.8, 139.3, 138.5, 129.4, 127.0, 125.5, 124.5, 21.76, 21.18. HRMS-APCI+m/z:
229.1022 (calculated for C15H16S + H+: 229.1045).
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Mesityl(p-tolyl)sulfane (16). White solid.9j Yield: 0.22 g (75%); mp 88-90 °C. H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3) 7.07 (d, J = 6.0Hz, 4H), 6.98-6.87 (m, 2H), 2.49-2.31 (m, 12H), 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
 143.7, 139.1, 134.8, 134.3, 129.7, 129.4, 127.5, 125.8, 21.8, 21.2, 20.9. GCMS-ES+ m/z: 242.1
(calculated for C16H18S: 242.1).
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Mesityl(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfane (17). Colorless oil.26 Yield: 145 mg (78%); H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3) 7.09 (s, 2H), 7.03 (d, J = 8.8Hz, 2H), 6.86 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 2H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 2.52 (s, 6H), 2.41
(s, 3H).13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 157.5, 143.4, 140.0, 129.4, 128.5, 127.8, 114.7, 114.4, 55.3, 21.9,
21.2. GCMS-ES+ m/z: 258.1 (calculated for C15H16OS: 258.1).
Synthesis of N,N-dimethyl-4-(phenylthio)aniline (18) and 4,4’-Methylenebis(N,N-dimethylaniline).
Phenyl disulfide 200 mg, (0.9mmol) was added into the flask containing TFA (0.5 mL), potassium
persulfate 495 mg (1.83 mmol) and N,N-dimethylaniline 556 mg (4.58 mmol). The resulting reaction
o
mixture was stirred for 24 h at 80 C. After this, reaction mixture was poured into saturated aqueous
NaHCO3 solution, extracted with ethyl acetate (50 mL x 3), dried over Na2SO4, concentrated under
vacuo. Column chromatography using hexane: ethyl acetate (9:1) gave two fractions; (i) N,N-dimethyl-
4-(phenylthio)aniline (18). Light green oil.19 Yield: 60 mg (30%); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.44-
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7.40 (m, 2H), 7.25-7.20 (m, 2H), 7.16-7.08 (m, 3H), 6.75 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.02 (s, 6H). C NMR
(100 MHz, CDCl3) 150.9, 140.3, 136.1, 128.7, 126.9, 125.0, 117.5, 113.0, 40.3. HRMS-ES+ m/z:
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230.0999 (calculated for C14H15NS + H+: 230.0998). (ii) 4,4’-Methylenebis(N,N-dimethylaniline).
Yellow solid.27 Yield: 116 mg (50%); mp 77-79 oC. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  6.95 (d, J = 8.0 Hz,
4H), 6.59 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 4H), 3.70 (s, 2H), 2.79 (s, 12H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  149.1, 130.4,
129.4, 113.1, 41.0, 39.9. HRMS-ES+m/z: 255.1846 (calculated for C17H22N2 + H+: 255.1856).
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(4-(tert-Butyl)-2,6-dimethylphenyl)(phenyl)sulfane (19). White solid. Yield: 0.18 g (72%); mp 63-65
°C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.24-7.19 (m, 4H), 7.11-7.04 (m, 1H), 6.99-6.95 (m, 2H), 2.46 (s,
6H), 1.31 (s, 9H); Other isomer: 2.36 (s, 6H), 1.31 (s, 9H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  152.4, 143.3,
138.4, 128.9, 127.0, (d, 125.6, 125.6), 124.5, 123.2, 34.5, 31.4, 31.3, 22.1, 21.6. HRMS-APCI+m/z:
271.1518 (calculated for C18H22S + H+: 271.1515).
Benzyl(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)sulfane (20). Light yellow oil. Yield: 0.21 g (68%); 1H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3)  7.29-7.17 (m, 6H), 6.48 (d, J = 2.6 Hz, 1H), 6.39 (dd, J = 8.5, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 4.00 (s, 2H), 3.87
13
(s, 3H), 3.81 (s, 3H). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  161.0, 160.1, 138.4, 135.2, 128.9, 128.3, 126.8,
114.1, 104.7, 99.0, 55.8, 55.4, 39.0. HRMS-ES+m/z: 261.0938 (calculated for C15H16O2S + H+:
261.0944).
(3-Bromo-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)(phenyl)sulfane (21). White solid. Yield: 0.21 g (76%); mp 45-47
°C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.29-7.19 (m, 2H), 7.18-7.08 (m, 2H), 7.00-6.92 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H),
2.69(s, 3H), 2.48 (s, 3H), 2.42 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  143.35, 142.57, 139.83, 137.84,
130.40, 129.3, 129.0, 125.9, 125.7, 124.9, 24.4, 23.1, 21.9. GCMS-ES+ m/z: 306.0 (calculated for
C15H15BrS: 306.0). HRMS-APCI+ m/z: 307.0133 (calculated for C15H15BrS + H+: 307.0151).
1
2-(Mesitylthio)benzoic acid (22). Light yellow solid. Yield: 0.1 g (55%); mp 308-310 °C. H NMR
(400 MHz, DMSO-d6)  13.14 (bs, 1H), 7.94 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.18-7.08 (m,
3H), 6.41(d, J =8.2 Hz, 1H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 6H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6)  167.9, 143.6,
141.9, 139.9, 133.0, 131.8, 130.0, 127.5, 127.3, 124.8, 124.5, 21.5, 21.2. HRMS-ES+m/z: 295.0775
(calculated for C16H16O2S + Na: 295.0763).
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2-(Mesitylthio)aniline (23). Dark green solid.28 Yield: 0.19 g (48%); mp 67-69 °C. H NMR (400
MHz, CDCl3)  7.02-6.95 (m, 3H), 6.73 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.61 (d, J = 4.4 Hz, 2H), 3.70-2.60 (bs,
1H), 2.40 (s, 6H), 2.33 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  143.8, 143.1, 138.8, 129.4, 127.9, 127.5,
126.3, 121.6, 119.8, 115.5, 21.7, 21.1. GCMS-ES+m/z: 243.1 (calculated for C15H17NS: 243.1).
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2-((4-Methoxyphenyl)thio)benzoic acid (24). Light yellow semisolid.29 Yield: 135 mg (54%); H
NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6)  13.14 (bs, 1H), 7.92 (dd, J = 7.8, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H),
7.37-7.31 (m, 1H), 7.17(t, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 6.66 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 3.82 (s,
13
3H). C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6)  167.8, 160.8, 143.9, 137.9, 132.8, 131.4, 127.2, 126.4, 124.6,
122.5, 116.2, 55.8. HRMS-ES+ m/z: 261.0585 (calculated for C14H12O3S + H+: 261.0580).
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Phenyl(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)sulfane (25). Light yellow oil. Yield: 0.21 g (74%); H NMR (400
MHz, CDCl3)  7.24-7.17 (m, 4H), 7.06 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (d, J = 7.8Hz, 2H), 3.76 (septet, J =
6.8 Hz, 2H), 2.99 (septet, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 1.35 (d, J = 6.6Hz, 6H), 1.20 (d, J = 6.8Hz, 12H). 13C NMR
(100 MHz, CDCl3)  153.8, 150.8, 140.3, 128.7, 125.4, 124.9, 124,3, 122.3, 34.4, 31.7, 24.3, 24.0.
HRMS-APCI+m/z: 313.1969 (calculated for C21H28S + H+: 313.1984).
1-(Phenylthio)naphthalen-2-ol (26). White solid.30 Yield: 0.14 g (62%); mp 63-65 °C. H NMR (400
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MHz, CDCl3)  8.26 (d, J = 8.2Hz, 1H), 7.85 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.85 (d, J = 8.2Hz, 1H), 7.53 (t, J =
8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.40, (q, J = 8.2Hz, 2H), 7.20 (d, J= 11Hz, 3H), 7.15 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (d, J =
8.2Hz. 2H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  157.0, 135.5, 135.4, 132.9, 129.5, 129.2, 128.6, 128.0,
126.4, 125.9, 124.7, 123.9, 116.9, 108.1. HRMS-ES+ m/z: 251.0544 (calculated for C16H12OS - H+:
251.0525).
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(Oxybis(3,1-phenylene))bis(phenylsulfane) (27). Colorless oil. Yield: 0.19 g (72%); H NMR (400
MHz, CDCl3)  7.27-7.25 (m, 1H), 7.25-7.23 (m, 2H), 7.22-7.20 (m, 1H), 7.20-7.19 (m, 1H), 7.16-7.11
13
(m, 5H), 7.08-7.03 (m, 1H), 7.02-6.97 (m, 1H), 6.93-6.89 (m, 3H), 6.85-6.81 (m, 3H). C NMR (100
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MHz, CDCl3)157.5, 156.7, 137.4, 134.3, 130.0, 129.6, 129.2, 128.3, 126.5, 123.9, 119.4. HRMS-
ES+m/z: 387.0869 (calculated for C24H18OS2 + H+: 387.0872).
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2,7-Bis(phenylthio)naphthalene (28). White solid.31 Yield: 0.24 g (76%); mp 114-116 °C. H NMR
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(400 MHz, CDCl3)  8.54-8.49 (m, 2H), 7.64-7.59 (m, 2H), 7.51 (s, 2H), 7.37-7.25 (m, 10H). 13C NMR
(100 MHz, CDCl3)  135.7, 133.6, 133.1, 130.8, 130.3, 129.4, 127.4, 126.9, 126.1. ES-MS+ m/z: 345.2
(calculated for C22H16S2 + H+: 345.2). GCMS-ES+ m/z: 344.1 (calculated for C22H16S2: 344.1).
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2-(Phenylselanyl)phenol (29a). Brown oil.32 Yield: 60 mg (36%); H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.68
(d, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.4 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.22-7.30 (m, 5H), 7.12 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (t, J = 7.4
13
Hz, 1H), 6.47 (s, 1H). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  156.7, 138.0, 132.3, 130.8, 129.7, 129.5, 126.8,
121.3, 115.2, 114.8. HRMS-ES+m/z: 248.9816 (calculated for C12H10O 80Se - H+: 248.9813). 77Se NMR
247.4 ppm.
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4-(Phenylselanyl)phenol (29b). Brown color semisolid.7e Yield: 78 mg (49%); H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3)  7.50 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.39 (m, 2H), 7.23-7.30 (m,3H), 6.82 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 5.41 (s,
1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  155.7, 136.7, 133.0, 131.1, 129.3, 126.6, 120.3, 116.7. HRMS-
ES+m/z: 249.9894 (calculated for C12H10O 80Se: 249.9892). 77Se NMR  399.4.
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4-(Phenyltellanyl)phenol (30). Brown color semisolid.7e Yield: 0.14 g (64%); H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3)  9.74 (bs, 1H), 7.62 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.49 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.21 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 3H),
6.72 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) .158.6, 141.0, 135.9, 129.9, 127.5, 117.7,
116.9, 101.1. ES-MS+m/z: 299.9 (calculated for C12H10O129Te: 299.9). 125Te NMR  750.0.
2-(Hexylselanyl)phenol (31a).Yellow color oil. Yield: 60 mg (38%); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) 
7.58 (dd, J = 7.7,1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.32-7.26 (m, 1H), 7.03 (dd, J = 8.1,1.2 Hz, 1H), 6.85 (dt, J = 7.4,1.3 Hz,
1H), 6.63(s, 1H), 2.73 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.69-1.58 (m, 2H), 1.43-1.35 (m, 2H), 1.34-1.21 (m, 4H),
0.89 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  159.7, 137.5, 131.3, 120.8, 115.5, 114.3, 31.2,
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30.3, 29.9, 29.3, 22.5, 14.0. HRMS-ES+m/z: 259.0572 (calculated for C12H18O80Se + H+: 259.0596).
77Se NMR  126.0.
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4-(Hexylselanyl)phenol (31b). Brown oil. Yield: 74 mg (47%); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.46-
7.41 (m, 2H), 6.79-6.75 (m, 2H), 5.45-4.65 (bs, 1H), 2.83 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.71-1.62 (m, 2H), 1.43-
1.36 (m, 2H), 1.31-1.27 (m, 4H), 0.92-0.85 (m, 3H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  155.1, 135.7,
120.4, 116.2, 31.3, 30.2, 29.7, 29.4, 29.2, 22.5, 14.0. HRMS-ES+ m/z: 257.0448 (calculated for
C12H18O80Se – H+: 257.0439). 77Se NMR  281.8.
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(4-Methoxyphenyl)(phenyl)selane (32). Colorless oil.7a Yield: 0.31 g (92%); H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3)  7.62 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.45 (m, 2H), 7.29 (m, 1H), 6.95 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.87 (s, 1H).
13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  159.9, 136.6, 133.4, 131.0, 129.2, 126.5, 120.1, 115.2, 55.3. HRMS-ES+
m/z: 264.0035 (calculated for C13H12O 80Se: 264.0048). 77Se NMR  399.2.
(4-Methoxyphenyl)(phenyl)tellane (33). White solid.7f Yield: 0.18 g (60%); mp 49-51 °C. 1H NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.70 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.53 (td, J = 8.0 2.0 Hz, 2H), 7.23 (m, 3H), 6.89 (d, J =
13
8.0 Hz, 3H), 3.76 (m, 3H). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) . 160.2, 141.4, 136.4, 130.0, 127.8, 116.6,
116.3, 103.5, 55.5. GCMS-ES+ m/z: 313.9 (calculated for C13H12O129Te: 313.9). 125Te NMR  657.6.
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(2,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)(phenyl)selane (34). Light yellow oil.33 Yield: 0.17 g (93%); H NMR (400
MHz, CDCl3)  7.47 (m, 2H), 7.28 (m, 4H), 6.56 (s, 1H), 6.47 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.83 (s,
3H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  161.3, 159.3, 135.3, 132.4, 131.2, 129.2, 126.9, 110.3, 105.7, 99.1,
56.0, 55.5. HRMS-ES+ m/z: 294.0166 (calculated for C14H14O2 80Se: 294.0154). 77Se NMR  333.7.
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Mesityl(phenyl)selane (35). Colorless oil.34 Yield: 0.33 g (95%); H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.15-
13
7.26 (m, 5H), 7.09 (s, 2H), 2.54 (s, 6H), 2.41 (s, 3H). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  143.7, 139.1,
133.6, 129.2, 128.9, 128.5, 126.9, 125.4, 24.4, 21.2. HRMS-ES+m/z: 276.0407 (calculated for C15H16
80Se: 276.0412).77Se NMR  289.0.
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(3-Bromo-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)(phenyl)selane (36). Light yellow oil. Yield: 0.14 g (62%); 1H NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.18-7.20 (m, 1H), 7.17-7.18 (m, 1H), 7.14-7.17 (m, 1H), 7.12-7.14 (m, 1H), 7.08-
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7.11 (m, 2H), 2.74 (s, 3H), 2.45 (d, J = 2.5 Hz, 6H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)  142.9, 142.4, 139.6,
133.1, 130.0, 129.5, 129.2, 128.6, 125.7, 125.2, 25.9, 24.4, 24.3. GCMS-ES+m/z: 353.9 (calculated for
C15H15Br80Se: 353.9). HRMS-APCI+m/z: 353.9509 (calculated for C15H15Br80Se: 353.9514). 77Se NMR
 331.8.
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(4-(tert-Butyl)-2,6-dimethylphenyl)(phenyl)selane (37). White solid. Yield: 0.28 g (94%); mp 71-73
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°C; H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.14-7.27 (m, 7H), 2.55 (s, 6H), 1.4 (s, 9H). C NMR (100 MHz,
CDCl3)  152.2, 143.3, 133.5, 129.1, 128.6, 126.9, 125.4, 125.2, 34.5, 31.3, 24.7. GCMS-ES+m/z: 318.1
(calculated for C18H22 80Se: 318.08). HRMS-APCI+m/z: 318.0862 (calculated for C18H22 80Se:
318.0882). 77Se NMR  291.1.
Methyl(4-(phenylselanyl)phenyl)sulfane (38). Light yellow oil.33 Yield: 0.1 g (55%); 1H NMR (400
MHz, CDCl3)  7.43-7.60(m,2H), 7.27-7.43(m,4H), 7.10-7.27(m,3H), 2.51 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (100
MHz, CDCl3)  138.5, 134.2, 132.4, 132.4, 129.4, 129.2, 127.3, 127.2, 15.8. HRMS-ES+m/z: 279.9834
(calculated for C13H12S80Se: 279.9819). 77Se NMR  410.4.
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Hexyl(4-methoxyphenyl)selane (39). Light yellow oil. Yield: 0.14 g (57%); H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3)  7.51-7.46 (m, 2H), 6.86-6.82 (m, 2H), 3.82(s, 3H), 2.84 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.72-1.62 (m,
13
2H), 1.45-1.36 (m, 2H), 1.35-1.24 (m, 4H), 0.90 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 
159.1, 135.5, 120.3, 114.7, 55.3, 31.3, 30.2, 29.4, 29.2, 22.6, 14.0. HRMS-ES+m/z: 272.0661 (calculated
for C13H20O80Se: 272.0674). 77Se NMR  279.2.
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4-(tert-Butyl)-2-(phenylselanyl)phenol (40). White color semisolid. Yield: 0.18 g (94%); H NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.69 (s, 1H), 7.44 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.22-7.29 (m, 5H), 7.06 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H),
6.29 (s, 1H), 1.35 (s, 9H). 13C NMR (100 MHz,CDCl3)  154.5, 144.3, 134.6, 131.1, 129.5, 129.4,
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126.7, 114.5, 113.9, 34.2, 31.5. HRMS-ES+ m/z: 305.0430 (calculated for C16H18O80Se–H+: 305.0440).
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77Se NMR 252.3.
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4-(tert-Butyl)-2-(phenyltellanyl)phenol (41). Brown color semisolid. Yield: 0.18 g (71%); H NMR
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(400 MHz, CDCl3)  9.94 (s, 1H), 7.80 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.44 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (d, J = 8.0
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Hz, 2H), 7.06 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (s, 1H), 6.72 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 1.04 (s, 9H). C NMR (100
MHz, CDCl3) . 154.7, 143.1, 140.6, 130.5, 130.2, 130.0, 125.5, 113.8, 112.8, 104.7, 34.1, 31.6.
HRMS-APCI+m/z: 355.0345 (calculated for C16H18O129Te – H+: 355.0337). 125Te NMR  565.0.
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(3-Phenoxyphenyl)(phenyl)selane (42). Colorless oil. Yield: 115 mg (82%); H NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3)  7.53 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.49-7.44 (m, 2H), 7.42-7.36 (m, 2H), 7.33-7.26 (m,3H), 7.17 (t, J =
13
7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 6.97 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H). C NMR (100 MHz,CDCl3)  157.5,
156.6, 135.7, 132.2, 132.0, 129.9, 129.3, 127.0, 123.8, 123.6, 119.5, 119.3. HRMS-APCI+m/z: 326.0203
(calculated for C18H14O80Se: 326.0205). 77Se NMR  404.6.
Naphthalen-1-yl(phenyl)selane (43). Light yellow oil.7a Yield: 0.19 g (67%); H NMR (400 MHz,
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CDCl3)  7.76-7.62 (m, 3H), 7.44-7.39 (m, 3H), 7.27-7.24 (m, 3H), 7.11-7.09 (m, 3H). C NMR (100
MHz, CDCl3)  134.1, 134.2, 133.9, 131.7, 129.5, 129.4, 129.3, 129.2, 128.6, 127.7, 127.0, 126.8,
126.4, 126.1. ESMS-ES+m/z: 301.0 (calculated for C16H1280Se + OH: 301.0); GCMS-ES+m/z: 284.0
(calculated for C16H1280Se: 284.0). Se NMR  352.4. This compound 43 showed impurities in NMR
77
(please see Figures S150-S152).
2,3-Dihydrobenzo[b]selenophene (44). A single neck round bottom flask (5 ml) containing TFA (0.6
mL) is charged with diphenylethyl selenide (184 mg, 0.5 mmol), and potassium persulfate (270 mg, 1.0
mmol). The resultant reaction mixture was stirred for 12 h at room temperature. After completion of the
reaction, reaction mixture is poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO3 solution, extracted with ethyl
acetate (50 mL x 3), dried over Na2SO4, concentrated under vacuo. Column chromatography using
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hexane gave 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]selenophene (44). Yellow oil.15 Yield: 80 mg (40%); H NMR (400
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MHz, CDCl3)  7.33-7.31(m, 1H), 7.17-7.15 (m, 1H), 7.09-7.03 (m, 2H), 3.37 (m, 4H).13C NMR (100
MHz, CDCl3)  143.2, 137.0, 127.3, 125.7, 124.8, 124.7, 38.7, 26.6. HRMS-ES+m/z: 183.9751
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(calculated for C8H8 Se: 183.9786).
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Synthesis of (4-Methoxyphenyl)(phenyl)selane (32) using PhSeBr. Phenylselenenyl bromide 236 mg,
(1.0 mmol) was added into the flask containing TFA (0.5 mL), potassium persulfate 270 mg (1.0 mmol)
and anisole 540 mg (5.0 mmol). The resulting reaction mixture was stirred for 3 h. Then, reaction
mixture was poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO3 solution, extracted with ethyl acetate (50 mL x 3),
dried over Na2SO4, concentrated under vacuo. Column chromatography using hexane gave mixture of
(4-Methoxyphenyl)(phenyl)selane 32. Colorless oil.7f Yield: 0.25 g (94%);
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Selenanthrene (46) and (4-Chlorophenyl)(phenyl)selane (47). Phenylselenenyl bromide 236 mg, (1.0
mmol) was added into the flask containing TFA (0.5 mL), potassium persulfate 270 mg (1.0 mmol) and
chlorobenzene 563 mg (5.0 mmol). The resulting reaction mixture was stirred for 3 h. The reaction
mixture was poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO3 solution, extracted with ethyl acetate (50 mL x 3),
dried over Na2SO4, concentrated under vacuo. Column chromatography using hexane gave mixture of
(4-chlorophenyl)(phenyl)selane 47 and selenanthrene 46. GC-MS study shows 73% of 47 and 27% of
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46 in the mixture. Analytical data of 47 and 46; Yellow solid.35 Yield: 0.41 g; H NMR (400 MHz,
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CDCl3)  7.45-7.41 (m), 7.40-7.35 (m), 7.30-7.27 (m), 7.25-7.22 (m). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 
135.5, 134.4, 133.4, 132.6, 132.3, 129.7, 129.5, 122.4. GC-MS for 47: retention time = 9.1 min, m/z:
267.9 (calculated for C12H9Cl80Se: 267.9); GC-MS for 46: retention time = 9.8 min, m/z: 311.8
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(calculated for C12H8 Se2: 311.8). 77Se NMR  473.6, 412.6.
Synthesis of Selenanthrene (46). Phenylselenenyl bromide 236 mg, (1.0 mmol) was added into the
flask containing TFA (0.5 mL), potassium persulfate 270 mg (1.0 mmol) and benzonitrile 515 mg (5.0
mmol). The resulting reaction mixture was stirred for 3 h, poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO3
solution, extracted with ethyl acetate (50 mL x 3), dried over Na2SO4, and concentrated under vacuo.
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Column chromatography using hexane gave mixture of Selenanthrene 46. Yellow solid.36 Yield: 0.13 g
(84%); mp 104-107 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)  7.45-7.41 (m, 4H), 7.39-7.35 (m, 4H); 13C NMR
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(100 MHz, CDCl3)  133.4, 132.3, 129.5, 122.4. GCMS-ES+ m/z: 311.8 (calculated for C12H8 Se2:
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311.8). 77Se NMR  473.7.
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Synthesis and in-situ Characterization of Reaction Intermediates by 77Se NMR. In a single necked
flask (5 mL) containing TFA (0.3 mL), diphenyl diselenide (50 mg, 0.16 mmol) and potassium
persulfate (43 mg, 0.16 mmol) were added and the resulted reaction mixture was stirred at room
temperature for 12 h. After this, 0.1 mL of the reaction mixture was transferred to NMR tube containing
77
0.6 mL of CDCl3. Se NMR was recorded for 12 h and 2000 scans were made in -200 to 600 ppm
range and 600 to 1400 ppm range. A peak at 788 ppm presumably due to intermediate III was observed.
77
To understand the effect of TFA on chemical shift, Se NMR experiment was also carried out on
diphenyl diselenide in TFA using CDCl3 without adding potassium persulfate. A peak at 460 ppm was
observed which corresponds to diphenyl diselenide (461 ppm).
Acknowledgment. We are thankful to Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi,
India, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE-BRNS) Mumbai, Defence Research and Development
Organization (DRDO) New Delhi and IISER Bhopal for financial support. CDP and SJB are grateful to
CSIR-UGC New Delhi and IISER Bhopal, respectively, for fellowship. Authors acknowledge Dr. D.
Chopra, IISER Bhopal for proof reading of the manuscript.
Supporting Information. 1H, 13C, 13C DEPT-135 and 77Se/ 125Te NMR of diaryl chalcogenides (1-47),
and selected NMR spectra for intermediate III, crystal structure data and CIF file for 22 (CCDC No.
897377). This material is available free of charge via the Internet at http://pubs.acs.org.
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