Synthesis and Reaction of Dibenzoyl Ditelluride

Abstract

Dibenzoyl ditelluride [1], tellurium analogue of benzoyl peroxide, was synthesized by the reaction of benzoyl chloride in ether with sodium hydrogentelluride prepared from tellurium and sodium borohydride in water. IR and ¹³C-NMR spectra of [1] were compared with those of dibenzoyl diselenide [1], selenium analogue [1] reacts with water to give tellurium and benzoic anhydride, and with ethanol to give tellurium and ethyl benzoate by the path (scheme 2), with involves pertellurocarboxylic Te-acid and Tellurocarboxylic Te-acid as intermediates. [1] seems to eliminate tellurium by the reaction with triphenylphosphine.