Preparation of tetramethyltetraselenafulvalene without the use of carbon diselenide

Abstract

Cyclization of α-diselenocarbamato ketones [prepared from dichloromethylene(dimethyl)ammonium chloride with hydrogen selenide and triethylamine] in trifluoroacetic acid with sulphuric acid, afforded the cation (3) efficiently and safely without the need for carbon diselenide.