Reactions of triads Se8KOHDMSO,Se8KOHDMSO,TeKOHHMPA with acetylenes

A new general approach to anionic transformations of acetylenes using superbasic media has been developed. It allows series of new reactions which are not undergone by acetylene under conventional conditions. The triads Se₈KOHdimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), Se₈KOHDMSO, TeKOH-hexamethyl-phosphorictriamide (HMPA) are proposed as new effective reagents for the preparation of unsaturated compounds of sulfur, selenium and tellerium. A series of reactions of acetylene with sulfur, selenium and tellerium proceeding in DMSO or HMPA in the presence of alkali and water at 80–120° leading to divinyl sulfide, divinyl selenide and divinyl teluride in 25–80% yields have been found. Thiophen, di-1-(1,3-butadienyl) sulfide, 1-vinyl-2-thiabicyclo3.2.0]hept-3-ene, and dihydrothiophen have been obtained by the reaction of vinylacetate with sulfur. The reaction of vinylacetylene with selenium affords selenophen, di-1-(1,3-butadienyl) selenide, 1-vinyl-2-selenabicyclo3.2.0]hept-3-ene, methyl (1-(1,3-butadienyl) sulfide, and methylthiomethyl 1-(1,4-butadienyl) selenide, vinyl 1-(1,3-butadienyl) sulfide, and methylthiomethyl 1-(1,3-butadienyl) selenide (the latter two with DMSO participation). The reaction of vinylacetate with tellerium gives mainly di-1-(1,3-butadienyl) telluride. A series of reactions between DMSO and selenium leading to dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl sulfoselenide, and methylthiomethyl selenide have been observed.