Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

Protocol for the Synthesis of Ortho-trifluoromethoxylated Aniline Derivatives
Published on: January 19, 2016
Trip2C6H3SeF: the first isolated selenenyl fluoride
Helmut Poleschner1, Stefan Ellrodt, Moritz Malischewski
1Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Fabeckstrasse 34-36, 14195 Berlin, Germany. hpol@chemie.fu-berlin.de
Researchers synthesized the first stable selenenyl fluorides (RSeF) using bulky m-terphenyl ligands. These compounds, prepared from tin selenide precursors and xenon difluoride, are stabilized against decomposition.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Main Group Chemistry
- Fluorine Chemistry
Background:
- Selenenyl fluorides (RSeF) are typically highly unstable and difficult to isolate.
- Previous attempts to synthesize RSeF compounds have been limited by their propensity for decomposition and disproportionation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize the first stable examples of selenenyl fluorides (RSeF).
- To investigate the stabilizing effect of bulky protecting groups on RSeF compounds.
Main Methods:
- Reaction of tin selenide precursors (RSeSnMe3) with xenon difluoride (XeF2).
- Utilized extremely large protecting groups, specifically m-terphenyl ligands, to sterically hinder decomposition pathways.
- Characterization using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized and isolated the first stable selenenyl fluorides (RSeF).
- The m-terphenyl ligands effectively stabilized the RSeF units, preventing disproportionation.
- Structural analysis confirmed the molecular structure and bonding of the novel RSeF compounds.
Conclusions:
- The use of sterically demanding ligands is a viable strategy for stabilizing otherwise highly reactive main group compounds.
- This work opens new avenues for the study and application of selenenyl fluoride chemistry.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Halogens
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Fluorination and Iodination of Benzene
VSEPR Theory and the Effect of Lone Pairs
Alkyl Halides
Alkyl halides are halogen-substituted alkanes wherein one or more hydrogen atoms of an alkane is replaced by a halogen atom such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine. The carbon atom in an alkyl halide is bonded to the halogen atom, which is sp3-hybridized and exhibits a tetrahedral shape.
Unlike alkyl halides, compounds in which a halogen atom is bonded to an sp2 -hybridized carbon atom of a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C) are called vinyl halides. Whereas aryl...
Halogenation of Alkenes
Consider the bromination of cyclopentene. Molecular bromine is polarized in the proximity of the π electrons of cyclopentene. An electrophilic bromine atom adds across the double bond, forming a cyclic bromonium ion intermediate.
