The Reaction of Wittig Reagents with Selenium. Formation of Selenoaldehydes

Abstract
The reaction of Wittig reagents with elemental selenium gave the corresponding selenoaldehydes which further reacted with other Wittig reagents to give the corresponding dimeric olefins in good yields. The selenoaldehydes formed afforded corresponding adducts by the reaction with dienes. These selenoaldehydes obtained by retro Diels–Alder reaction were also found to react with Wittig reagents to give the corresponding olefins in good yields.