Diphenyl ditelluride explained

Diphenylditelluride is the chemical compound with the formula (C₆H₅Te)₂, abbreviated Ph₂Te₂. This orange-coloured solid is the oxidized derivative of the unstable benzenetellurol, PhTeH. Ph₂Te₂ is used as a source of the PhTe unit in organic synthesis^[1] and as a catalyst for redox reactions.^[2] The compound is a strong nucleophile, easily displacing halides. It also adds electrophilically across multiple bonds, and traps radicals.^[3]

Preparation

Ph₂Te₂ is prepared by the oxidation of tellurophenolate, which is generated via the Grignard reagent:^[4]

PhMgBr + Te → PhTeMgBr

2PhTeMgBr + 0.5 O₂ + H₂O → Ph₂Te₂ + 2 MgBr(OH)

The molecule has C₂ symmetry.

References

1. Mohan. Balaji. Yoon. Chohye. Jang. Seongwan. Park. Kang Hyun. Copper Nanoparticles Catalyzed Se(Te)-Se(Te) Bond Activation: A Straightforward Route Towards Unsymmetrical Organochalcogenides from Boronic Acids. ChemCatChem. 7. 3. 2015. 405–412. 1867-3880. 10.1002/cctc.201402867. 97000699.
2. Rate Accelerations of Bromination Reactions with NaBr and H₂O₂ via the Addition of Catalytic Quantities of Diaryl Ditellurides . Eduardo E. . Alberto . Lisa M. . Muller . Michael R. . Detty . Organometallics . 2014 . 33 . 19 . 5571–5581 . 10.1021/om500883f .
3. Encyclopedia: 10.1002/047084289X.rd416. Diphenyl ditelluride. David. Crich. Yao Qingwei. Encyclopedia of Reactants for Organic Synthesis.
4. Crich, D.; Yao, Q. "Diphenyl Ditelluride" in Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis (Ed: L. Paquette) 2004, J. Wiley & Sons, New York. .