Intramolecular chalcogen-nitrogen interactions

In some reactions intramolecular chalcogen nitrogen interactions may lead to stereochemical control. For example, selenenyl bromides react with C=C double bonds, providing a convenient method of introducing various functional groups. The reaction proceeds readily, but affords a racemic mixture. The modified reagent 15.22 contains a chiral amine in close interaction with the selenium atom. It reacts with olefins affording up to 97% ee of isomer A (Scheme 15.2). ... 

Weak interactions may occur between molecules (intermolecular association) as well as within a molecule (intramolecular) for chalcogen-nitrogen ring systems. This behaviour is especially significant for odd electron species, e.g., [EsNa]" (4.14, E = S, Se) and [PhCNaEa] (4.15, E = S, Se), both of which are seven r-electron molecules. As mentioned in the previous section, it also occurs for the eight r-electron dithiatriazines 4.10... 

Intramolecular chalcogen interactions may also stabilize reactive functional groups enabling the isolation of otherwise unstable species or their use as transient intermediates, especially in the case of selenium and tellurium. For example, tellurium(II) compounds of the type ArTeCl are unstable with respect to disproportionation in the absence of such interactions. The diazene derivative 15.23 is stabilized by a Te N interaction. Presumably, intramolecular coordination hinders the disproportionation process. Other derivatives of the type RTeX that are stabilized by a Te N interaction include 8-(dimethylamino)-l-(naphthyl)tellurium bromide, 2-(bromotelluro)-A-(p-tolyl)benzylamine, and 2-[(dimethylammo)methyl]phenyltellunum iodide. Intramolecular donation from a nitrogen donor can also be used to stabilize the Se-I functionality in related compounds." ... 

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