Benzenetellurol

Benzenetellurol
Names
IUPAC name
Benzenetellurol[2]
Other names
Tellurophenol[1]
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
  • InChI=1S/C6H6Te/c7-6-4-2-1-3-5-6/h1-5,7H
    Key: NGTSCMPNJJGTPR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • C1=CC=C(C=C1)[TeH]
Properties
C6H5TeH
Molar mass 205.71 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless oily liquid
Odor Unpleasant
Solubility Soluble in organic solvents
Related compounds
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Benzenetellurol is an organotellurium compound with the chemical formula C6H5TeH, often abbreviated as PhTeH, where Ph stands for phenyl. It is an analog of phenol C6H5OH, where oxygen is replaced by tellurium.

Synthesis

Benzenetellurol can be synthesized by methanolysis of phenyl trimethylsilyl telluride (C6H5TeSi(CH3)3) or its reaction with water or reduction of diphenyl ditelluride with phosphinic acid or sodium borohydride.[3][4]

C6H5TeSi(CH3)3 + H2O → (CH3)3SiOH + C6H5TeH

Uses

Benzenetellurol is unstable in air, so it is used as a reducing agent in situ in organic synthesis, for example, to reduce aromatic nitro compounds to amines.[5]

Benzenetellurol is an effective novel reagent for the reductive conversion of ketones into unsymmetrical ethers under the catalization of ZnI2.[6]

Sodium benzenetellurolate C6H5TeNa+ is isolated as an air- and moisture-sensitive gray powder. It is prepared and stored under nitrogen atmosphere. Its solutions in acetone and THF are stable for months when kept under nitrogen atmosphere.[4]

References

  1. ^ Chemspider. "Benzenetellurol". chemspider.com. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
  2. ^ PubChem. "Benzenetellurol". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
  3. ^ Ohira, Noriyuki; Aso, Yoshio; Otsubo, Tetsuo; Ogura, Fumio (5 June 1984). "Reduction of Aromatic Nitro Compounds to Amines by Benzenetellurol". Chemistry Letters. 13 (6): 853–854. doi:10.1246/cl.1984.853.
  4. ^ a b Klamann, Dieter (1990). "Organotellurium Compounds". Methoden der Organischen Chemie. Houben-Weyl. doi:10.1055/b-0035-112608.
  5. ^ Dictionary of Organic Compounds. CRC Press. 1996. p. 5715. ISBN 978-0-412-54090-5.
  6. ^ Nagakawa, Keiichi; Osuka, Masahiro; Sasaki, Kazuaki; Aso, Yoshio; Otsubo, Tetsuo; Ogura, Fumio (5 July 1987). "A Novel Method for the Preparation of Ethers from Carbonyl Compounds with Benzenetellurol Catalyzed by ZnI2". Chemistry Letters. 16 (7): 1331–1334. doi:10.1246/cl.1987.1331.