Reactions of the Geminal Dicarbanion Li2[C(SPPh2)2] with Selenium and Tellurium

The reactions of the dianion [Li 2 (Et 2 O) 1.5 ][(SPh 2 P) 2 C] 1 with Se and Te were explored and shown to be dependent on the stoichiometry. The species, [Li 2 (THF) 3 (SPh 2 P) 2 CSe 2 ] 2 , [Li 2 (THF) 4 (SPh 2 P) 2 CSe 4 C(PPh 2 S) 2 ] 3 , [Li 2 (THF) 3 (SPh 2 P) 2 CTe 2 ] 4 and [Li 2 (THF) 3 Et 2 O][(SPh 2 P) 2 CTe 3 C(PPh 2 S) 2 ] 5 have been isolated and structurally characterized in the solid state. While these products proved to be remarkably sensitive to light and air, the characterization of these products demonstrates that ability of the dianion to intercept short chalcogenide chains of E 2–4 .