Binary phosphorus selenides: The reaction of phosphorus pentaselenide with alcohols

Abstract

The preparations of tetraphosphorus triselenide, P₄Se₃, and phosphorus pentaselenide, P₂Se₅ were investigated. A simple method was developed for the synthesis of P₄Se₃ in a very pure state. An optimum set of conditions was established to obtain P₂Se₅ in a state of high reactivity. The reaction of P₂Se₅ with a number of aliphatic alcohols was investigated and the general course of the reaction was established. The following compounds were isolated and characterized: (1) Potassium 0,0'-diethyldiselenophosphate, (2) Potassium 0,0'-di-n-propyldiselenophosphate, (3) Potassium 0,0'-di-n-butyldiselenophosphate, (4) Potassium 0,0'-di-n-amyldiselenophosphate monohydrate, (5) Potassium 0,0'-dicyclohexyldiselenophosphate, (6) Bis(0,0'-diethyldiselenophosphato)selenium(II), (7) Bis(0,0'-diisopropyldiselenophosphat)e, (8) Bis(0,0'-dicyclohexyldiselenophosphate), (9) Tris(0,0'-diethyldiselenophosphato)chromium(III), (10) Tris(0,0'-di-n-propyldiselenophosphato)chromium(III). The properties of these compounds were measured by means of infrared, ultraviolet and MNR spectroscopic and differential thermal analysis.