Using Me3Si–F–Al(ORF)3 and Me3Si–Cl as Methylating Agents – Synthesis and Characterization of SeMeCl2[F{Al(ORF)3}2]

Upon reacting SeCl₄ with Me₃Si–F–Al(OR^F)₃, the selenonium salt SeMeCl₂al‐f‐al] ( 1 ) {al‐f‐al]^– = FAl(OC(CF₃)₃)₃]₂]^–} was obtained and characterized by NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy as well as single crystal XRD experiments. Despite the SeX₃]⁺ (X = F, Cl, Br, I) and SeR₃]⁺ salts (R = aliphatic organic residue) being well known and thoroughly studied, the mixed cations are scarce. The only previous example of a salt with the SeMeCl₂]⁺ cation is SeMeCl₂SbCl₆], which was never structurally characterized and is unstable in solution over hours. Only ¹H‐NMR studies and IR spectra of this compound are known. The unexpected use of Me₃Si–F–Al(OR^F)₃ as a methylating agent was investigated via DFT calculations and NMR experiments of the reaction solution. The reaction of SeCl₃al‐f‐al] with Me₃Si‐Cl at room temperature in CH₂Cl₂ proved to yield the same product with Me₃Si–Cl acting as a methylating agent.