Transition metal heterocyclic chemistry: IX. An α-selenoketoketene. Trapping subsequent to oxidative release from tricarbonyliron complexes to form vinyl selenides

Treatment of α-selenoketocyclohexylene-Fe 2(CO) 6 ( 6) and the related α-selenoketoketene complex ( 2) with trimethylamine oxide leads to the formation of a transient α-selenoketoketene, a previously unknown species. The transient species may be trapped by alcohols to produce esters of bis(2-carboxy-1-cyclohexenyl)diselenide, examples of vinylselenides. Reductive elimination of selenium from these esters using Raney Nickel leads to the formation of the cyclohexane carboxylate esters.