Phenyl Selenide Anion, a Superior Reagent for the SN2 Cleavage of Esters and Lactones

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00326a001

The scope and limitations of SN2-type cleavages of esters and lactones with phenyl selenide anion are discussed.The reagent, when generated properly, is found to be an extremely potent nucleophile.However, its nucleophilicity can be greatly attenuated by varying the counterion and/or the degree of solvation of the anion.The reagent can be used in the presence of a variety of functional groups and exhibits a high degree of selectivity; e.g., methyl esters are selectively cleaved in the presence of ethyl esters.As the hindrance around the carbinol carbon increases, products derived from acyl oxygen cleavage are observed.The mechanistic implications of this are discussed.