Selectivity between deprotonation and attack on tellurium in the reaction of 1,4-thiatellurins with strongly basic reagents

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(92)80184-Y

Reaction of 1,4-thiatellurin and some of its alkyl derivatives with n-butyllithium in tetrahydrofuran gives Z,Z-2,2'-dilithiodivinyl sulfide or alkyl derivatives and dibutyl telluride.With lithium diisopropylamide in tetrahydrofuran, in the case of 3,5'-dialkyl-1,4-thiatellurins, deprotonation with concomitant ring opening is the main reaction.