Synthesis, structure and redox property of first 1,2,3-triselenole

Photolysis of [Fe3Se2(CO)9] with 3-ferrocenylpropynal in hexane yields an adduct of [Fe2Se2(CO)6] and FcC2CHO, [(CO)6Fe2{μ-SeC(Fc)double bond; length as m-dashC(CHO)Se}] (1). Subsequent reaction of 1 with [Fe2Se2(CO)6] in presence of excess of Me3NO·2H2O in THF leads to formation of a novel 5-ferrocenyl-4-carbaldehyde-1,2,3-triselenole (2). Its electrochemistry has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, which shows two successive quasi-reversible oxidations.