Description

• Application: Selenium dioxide (SeO2) is mainly used to oxidize the α-methylene carbon atoms adjacent to a double bond to form allylic hydroxy derivatives.[1]Other applications:SeO2 reacts with olefins in the presence of tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide to form allylic alcohols without the formation of rearrangement or dehydration by-products.[2] This reagent system is also useful for the oxidation reactions of acetylenic fatty esters.[1]SeO2 can be used for the oxidation of 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene to form tropone.[3]Piperidoindole systems on oxidation with SeO2 forms either 2-acyl- or 3-acyl-indoles or fully aromatic β-carbolines, depending on the starting material.[4]SeO2 reacts with chlorotrimethylsilane to form selenium oxychloride in situ, which is an effective chlorinating reagent for alcohols. This reagent is a better alternative to thionyl chloride and other chlorinating agents.[5]