Synthesis of symmetrical tetra-alkyl monoselenopyrophosphates: compounds containing a selenium bridge between two phosphoryl centres

The remarkably selective reaction of O,O,O-dialkyltrimethylsilylselenophosphates (1) in the presence of equimolar amounts of dialkyltrimethylsilyl phosphites (2) with sulphuryl chloride leading to tetra-alkyl symmetrical selenopyrophosphates (3) in excellent yields is reported.