Diphenyltellurium dichloride

Diphenyltellurium dichloride (typical procedure) TeCl4 (27.0 g, 0.1 mol) and benzene (150 mL) are heated under reflux for 0.5 h. The solution is then cooled at 60°C and AICI3 (1.0 g) is added. Evolution of HCl ensues. The mixture is then refluxed for 12 h, cooled, filtered to remove the formed trichloride and inorganic impurities. After evaporation, the residue is recrystallized from MeCN (12.6 g (36%) m.p. 160-161°C). 

To our knowledge, the first report on a coupling reaction of an organic tellurium compound promoted by palladium was published in 1977. Later on, LJemura reported that diphenyltellurium dichloride and phenyltellurium trichloride reacted with olefins under palladium catalysis to give stilbenes288 (Scheme 118). 

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