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Diphenyl ditelluride

Diphenylditelluride is the chemical compound with the formula (C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>Te)<sub>2</sub>, abbreviated Ph<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>2</sub>. This orange-coloured solid is the oxidized derivative of the unstable benzenetellurol, PhTeH. Ph<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>2</sub> is used as a source of the PhTe unit in organic synthesis and as a catalyst for redox reactions. The compound is a strong nucleophile, easily displacing halides. It also adds electrophilically across multiple bonds, and traps radicals.

Preparation

Ph<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>2</sub> is prepared by the oxidation of tellurophenolate, which is generated via the Grignard reagent:

PhMgBr + Te → PhTeMgBr
2PhTeMgBr + 0.5 O<sub>2</sub> + H<sub>2</sub>O → Ph<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>2</sub> + 2 MgBr(OH)

The molecule has C<sub>2</sub> symmetry.

References