One-pot synthesis of mixed (Z)-1,2-bis(organylchalcogene)-1-alkenes precursors of the novel β-organylthio vinyllithium intermediates

One-pot hydrochalcogenation of 1-phenylthioacetylenes using organylselenolate and organyltellurolate anions generated by the insertions of selenium and tellurium in n-organyl lithium produced (Z)-1,2-bis(organylchalcogene)-1-alkenes. The chemical reactivity of these mixed 1,2-bis(organylchalcogene)-1-alkenes was studied by Te/Li and Se/Li stereoretentive exchanges carried out with n-butyl lithium, furnishing the new intermediate species (Z)-β-organylthio vinyllithium anions, which were trapped with aldehydes, to give the (Z)-3-hydroxy vinyl thioethers with total control of the regio- and stereochemistry.