Co2(CO)8-mediated and -catalyzed carbonylation of diaryl diselenides and ditellurides to seleno and telluro esters

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(87)80109-2

Diaryl diselenides and ditellurides react with CO (5-100 atm) at 100-200 deg C in the presence of Co2(CO)8 to give the corresponding seleno and telluro esters in 21-96percent yield.The carbonylation proceeds catalytically in Co2(CO)8 in the presence of triphenylphosphine.It was shown unambiguously that benzoylcobalt tetracarbonyl, which is one of possible intermediates, reacts with diphenyl diselenide or ditelluride to give phenyl selenobenzoate or tellurobenzoate, respectively.