Generation and reactions of a selenoamide dianion

The selective generation of selenoamide monoanion and dianion was achieved by reacting N-benzyl selenobenzamide with BuLi. Alkylation of the dianion with 1 equiv of electrophile took place at the carbon atom adjacent to the nitrogen atom, and subsequent hydrolysis produced functionalized selenoamides in good to high yields. Ring opening of oxiranes using the dianion proceeded with high regio- and stereoselectivity to form N-3-hydroxy-1-phenylalkyl selenobenzamides. The stereochemistry of the major isomer derived from cyclohexene oxide was determined by X-ray molecular structure analysis. [reaction: see text]