OXIDATIVE SUBSTITUTION OF PhTe AND PhSe MOIETIES IN ALKYL PHENYL TELLURIDES AND SELENIDES LEADING TO ESTERS AND ALCOHOLS
Oxidation of alkyl phenyl tellurides and/or selenides with sodium periodate (NaIO4) in aqueous acetic acid or with metachloroperbenzoic acid (MCPBA) in N,N-dimethylformamide or N,N-dimethylacetamide affords a mixture of the corresponding alkyl esters (acetates or formates) and/or alcohols in 20-94percent yield under mild conditions (at 20-80 deg C for 0.5-24 h).