Flash Pyrolysis of Selenides. Syntheses of Bibenzyls, Olefins, and Related Compounds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.55.182

Pyrolyses of a series of selenides and diselenides were studied. Selenides and diselenides bound with an active methylene group like benzyl gave a variety of substituted bibenzyls and related ethane derivatives in high yields. Other diselenides were easily caused to cleave to give various aromatic and aliphatic olefins in good yields together with elemental selenium. Lepidopterene, <2.2>paracyclophane, and benzocyclobutene were prepared by thermal cleavage of their corresponding phenylselenomethyl-substituted compounds as an application of the pyrolysis concerned.