Organopolychalcogenides, new bond energy results and synthesis via the first selenium transfer reagent

Reevaluation of organosulfur heats of formation resulted in the conclusion that the sulfur-sulfur bond of aliphatic disulfides is nearly 15 Kcal/mole stronger than the disulfide carbon-sulfur bond energy. Semi-empirical calculations using AM1, MNDO and MINDO/3 from the AMPAC program package confirmed these results and clarified their relative impact on organosulfide and disulfide properties.Existing organoselenium bond energy data were also reevaluated and erroneous assumptions discovered. New bond energy estimates were made via a new procedure. It was concluded that the selenium-selenium bond is also stronger than the selenium-carbon of aliphatic diselenides.The above results led to the conclusion that loss of molecular dichalcogen from molecules such as disulfides or diselenides is favored over the stepwise loss of a single chalcogen by about 40 Kcal/mol. Loss of molecular diselenium from dibenzyl diselenide is reported. The average carbon-selenium bond energy of the latter is calculated to be only 27 Kcal/mol.The preparation of 2-thiatriselenides (RSeSSeR) and 2,3-dithiatetraselenides (RSeSSSeR) has been achieved from selenosilanes. The products were characterized by $ sp{77}$Se NMR and the trends of chemical shifts were analyzed.The preparation of the first selenium transfer reagents, including the first unsymmetrical chalcogen transfer reagent, is reported. Their use to effect the synthesis of 2-selenatrisulfides (RSSeSR) is also reported. Low temperature $ sp{77}$Se NMR was used to elucidate the reaction mechanism and characterize several intermediates such as selenuranes, selenonium ions and azole selenides. In addition, 2,3-diselenatetrasulfides (RSSeSeSR) were characterized by $ sp{77}$Se NMR