Stereoisomers of selenilimines: isolation and reactions of 9-phenylselenoxanthene-N-arylsulfonylselenilimines

The isolates cis- and trans-9phenylselenoxanthene-N-arylsulfonylselenilimines were not interconverted thermally. cis-Isomers were converted to trans-isomers by chloramine-T or -B in a fashion of S_N2 type substitution. cis-Isomers did not rearrange but trans-isomers rearranged thermally to 9-arylsulfonamido-9-phenylselenoxanthenes, whereas both isomers underwent the base-catalyzed intermolecular rearrangement.