SYNTHESIS OF TE-ALKYL CARBAMOTELLUROATES FROM TELLURIUM, CARBON-MONOXIDE, AMINES, AND ALKYL-HALIDES

Lithium amides reacted with tellurium under atmospheric pressure of ca rbon monoxide to yield lithium carbamotelluroates which were trapped w ith alkyl halides to give Te-alkyl carbamotelluroates in good yields. Results of control experiments suggested that lithium carbamotelluroat es were formed by the reaction of tellurium with carbamoyllithiums gen erated in situ from lithium amides and carbon monoxide. It was reveale d also that yields were improved when tellurium was preliminarily trea ted with lithium amides prior to the introduction of carbon monoxide i nto the reaction media.