Synthesis of Selenoxides by Oxidation of Selenides with t-Butyl Hypochlorite, and Its Application for Synthesis of Optically Active Selenoxide

Abstract
An effective synthesis of selenoxides by the oxidation of selenides with t-butyl hypochlorite in the presence of methanol and pyridine followed by hydrolysis is descrived. This oxidation method is particularly effective for the oxidation of selenides which possess electron-withdrawing groups. A synthesis of partially optically active selenoxide with bulky substituents can be achieved using a novel oxidation method.