Synthesis of (Z)-1-phenylseleno-1,4-diorganyl-1-buten-3-ynes: hydroselenation of symmetrical and unsymmetrical 1,4-diorganyl-1,3-butadiynes

The hydroselenation of 1-organyl-1,3-butadiynes and 1,4-diorganyl-1,3-butadiynes with the sodium phenylselenolate anion, which was generated in situ by reacting diphenyl diselenide with NaBH4 in aqueous ethanol, results in the regio-, stereo- and chemoselective formation the 1-phenylseleno-4-organyl-1-buten-3-ynes and 1-phenylseleno-1,4-diorganyl-1-buten-3-ynes of Z configuration respectively. The lack of selectivity with the 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-3,5-dodecadiyne was observed and the obtained product structures were studied in detail.