α-Phenylselanyl imines: preparation of β-phenylselanyl amines and original synthesis of allylaziridines

Resorting to suitable methods, a wide variety of α-phenylselanyl imines were prepared from α-phenylselanyl aldehydes and α-phenylselanyl ketones . These compounds were reduced to afford β-phenylselanyl amines . Our experimental conditions have limited the well known deselenenylation side-reaction occurring with most hydrides. On the other hand, the reaction of α-phenylselanyl imines with organometallics led to the expected addition products only in the case of allylated derivatives. Depending on the temperature, either β-phenylselanyl amines or unexpected allylaziridines were recovered.