Synthesis of chelating ditelluroether ligands, RTeCH2CH2CH2TeR (R = Me, Ph)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om00144a045

RTeLi (R = Me, Ph), prepared in situ in tetrahydrofuran from RLi and Te, react at low temperatures with 1,3-dihalopropanes, X(CH₂)₃X (X = Cl, Br), to give high yields of RTe(CH₂)₃TeR. At ambient or higher temperatures these reactions yield mainly R₂Te₂. The RTeCH₂TeR are made analogously, but 1,2-dichloroethane gave only R₂Te₂.