An efficient synthesis and structural aspects of hexakis (arylseleno)benzenes and hexakis(arylselenomethyl)benzenes

An efficient synthesis and structural aspects of a novel class of selenium bearing hexa-hosts by the reaction of hexafluorobenzene or hexakis(bromomethyl) benzene with RSe~ ions is demonstrated. However, under identical reaction conditions, our attempts to prepare tellurium analogues by the reaction of RTe (R = Ph or p-CH3C6H4-) with hexafluorobenzene or hexakis(bromomethyl)benzene to obtain (RTe)6C6 and (RTeCH2)6C6 proved to be difficult. Currently considerable efforts are being devoted to the synthesis of hexasubstituted benzene derivatives with 1,3,5or 2,4,6-substitution pattern, leading to characteristically preorganized systems and a wide range of inclusion behavior has been established for hexa-host type molecules. Certain structural features present in host compounds, such as size, shape, and the symmetry of the host molecule, can maximize opportunities for inclusion complex formation. Furthermore, the modification of a known host might lead to new hosts with properties significantly different from those of the parent in terms of both cavity size and selective inclusion behavior. In this regard a wide range of hexa-hosts containing either oxygen or sulfur have been studied in detail for their multimolecular inclusion behavior. In contrast, comparatively little work has appeared concerning the structurally related selenium analogues. For example, the investigations on (PhSe)6C6, (PhSeCH2)6C6, and (ptBuC6H4SeCH2)6C6 are limited to their synthesis and the structures of the resulting products remain unexplored despite the fact that these systems might exhibit self-organizing properties and may create useful nonhydrogen-bonded networks through chalcogen • -chalcogen interactions.