Sodium Telluride - Applications in Organic Chemistry

Applications in Organic Chemistry

Na₂Te finds use in organic synthesis, both as a reagent for reductions and as a source of Te in the synthesis of organotellurium compounds. Aryl halides are substituted to diaryl tellurides, as illustrated by the synthesis of dinaphthyltelluride:

Na₂Te + 2 C₁₀H₇I → (C₁₀H₇)₂Te + 2 NaI

Na₂Te reacts with 1,3-diynes to give the corresponding tellurophene, which are structurally analogous to thiophenes:

Na₂Te + RC≡C-C≡CR + 2 H₂O → TeC₄R₂H₂ + 2 NaOH

As a reducing agent, Na₂Te converts nitro groups to amines and will cleave certain C-X bonds.