Synthesis and reactivity of subvalent compounds. Part 13: Reaction of triethyl orthoformate with amines and selenium—a convenient one-step three-component synthesis for selenoureas

Selenoureas are obtained by a novel three-component condensation reaction from metallic selenium, triethyl orthoformate and a primary or secondary amine. The reaction is carried out as solvent-free one pot-procedure at 180–190°C under inert gas with a reaction time of 8 h. The reaction was tested for piperidine, isopropylamine, N,N′-dimethylpropylenediamine (Me-NH-CH2-CH2-CH2-NH-Me) and N,N′-disubstituted ethylenediamines (R-NH-CH2-CH2-NH-R, R=Me, Et, iPr, tBu, Ph).