Lithium butylchalcogenolate induced Michael-aldol tandem sequence: easy and rapid access to highly functionalized organochalcogenides and unsaturated compounds

Lithium ⁿbutylchalcogenolates are generated in situ by reacting the elements (S, Se, and Te) with ⁿbutyllithium at 0 °C. Reaction of the lithium alkylchalcogenolates with activated alkenes and aldehydes gives the corresponding aldol adducts. The selenium-containing products give Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts after the oxidation/elimination of the selenoxide. The whole sequence can be performed in a one-pot procedure.