Main Group Analogs of Dichalcogeniranes

Abstract

This Mini Review highlights recent advances in the preparation of main group analogs of dichalcogeniranes. The three‐membered ring compounds are an intriguing class of compounds in terms of their strained structures and high reactivity. As for three‐membered rings composed of a carbon and two group 16 atoms, dioxiranes have long been utilized as oxidants, while some dithiiranes have been synthesized. In contrast, diselenirane and ditellurirane remain elusive. On the other hand, the chemistry of three‐membered rings consisting of a non‐carbon main group atom and two group 16 atoms has recently gained significant track. These emerging three‐membered ring compounds were characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis on many occasions, revealing unique molecular structures with very long chalcogen−chalcogen single‐bond distances in some cases. A common reactivity is dechalcogenation reactions using phosphine reagents, which provide access to the corresponding double‐bonded compounds. This minireview covers recent advances in the synthesis of main group analogs of dioxirane, dithiirane, diselenirane, and even ditellurirane.