Alkyltelluro groups

Another highlight of these additions was a systematic investigation of the use of alkylseleno- and alkyltelluro groups as non-transferable ligands of alkyl higher-order cyanocuprates [(RY)Cu(CN)R Li2, Y=Se, Te] in addition to enones. The following example is illustrative. 

The alkyltelluro group is generally introduced into aldehydes and ketones protected in the form of their acetals. The acetal groups in the protected acetylphenyl alkyl and 2-formylphenyl alkyl tellurium compounds are hydrolyzed by strong sulfuric or hydrochloric acid to carbonyl groups without affecting the C — Te — C moiety. 

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