Synthesis and thermal reaction of 1,3-bis(alkylseleno)allenes

Reactions of Ph2C3 dianion, prepared from 1,3-diphenylpropyne and n-butyllithium, with dimethyl diselenide and benzylselenocyanate yielded 1,3-bis(methylseleno)-1,3-diphenylpropadiene and 1,3-bis(benzylseleno)-1,3-diphenylpropadiene, respectively, and the reaction with a mixture of dimethyl diselenide and benzylselenocyanate gave 1-benzylseleno-3-methylseleno-1,3-diphenylpropadiene together with the symmetric products. Thermal reactions of the 1,3-bis(alkylseleno)allenes afforded (E)- and (Z)-1,3,4,6-tetraphenyl-3-hexene-1,5-diynes along with compounds derived from cyclic dimer of the allene or diselenide via radical pathway.