Reactions of selenothioic acid S-esters and diselenoic acid esters with trialkyl phosphites leading to alpha-phosphoryl sulfides and selenides

The reaction of selenothioic acid S-esters with trialkyl phosphites proceed ed smoothly to afford a-phosphoryl sulfides as a major product in good to h igh yields. The reaction was also applicable to diselenoic acid esters. On the contrary, selenothioic acid S-butyl ester underwent oxidative dimerizat ion with triphenylphosphine to give a divinyl diselenide.