Potassium permanganate, decomposition melting

Phenyl -tolyl selenide in aqueous suspension is boiled with potassium permanganate for several hours. The manganese mud is dissolved and the 4-carboxydiphenyl selenoxide precipitated by passing in sulphur dioxide. After filtration the precipitate is macerated with dilute sodium carbonate solution, the products of oxidation being separated in this manner into phenyl p-tolyl selenoxide and 4-carboxydiphenyl selenoxide. Addition of dilute sulphuric acid to the sodium carbonate extract causes the separation of 4-carboxydiphenyl selenoxide, which is crystallised from alcohol. The product is a microcrystalline powder, melting with decomposition at 253° to 255° C. Attempts to resolve it into optically active forms have failed the l-menthylamine salt melts at 220° to 222° C. with decomposition, and the d-a-phenyl-ethylamine salt forms feathery needles, M.pt. 194° to 195° C. with decomposition.3... 

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