The reaction of perfluoroaryllithium RC6F4Li, where R = F or 4-CF3C6F4O, re
spectively, with selenium gives the known diselanes (RC6F4Se)(2) (1a, 1b).
Redox reactions of 1 with hydrogen peroxide result in the formation of the
seleninic acids RC6F4SeOOH which crystallize as hydrates (2a, 2b); with mer
cury give the bis(arylseleno) mercuries (RC6F4Se)(2)Hg (3a, 3b); with sulfu
ryl chloride or bromine give the selenenyl chlorides (4a, 4b) or selenenyl
bromides (5a, 5b). Selenenyl chlorides (4a, 4b) react with a variety of tri
methylsilyl reagents Me3SiX (X = Br, CN, NMe2, NEt2) to form 5a, 5b; seleno
cyanates RC6F4SeCN (6a, 6b); selenenyl amides RC6F4SeNMe2 (7a, 7b) and RC6F
4SeNEt2 (8a, 8b). A new synthetic route to diorgano selanes is developed by
reaction of 4a, 4b with perfluoroaryllithium to give the symmetric (RC6F4)
(2)Se (9a, 9b). AV derivatives are thoroughly characterized and in addition
the molecular structures of 2a, 6a, and 9a are established by X-ray crysta
llography.