title: Stereoselective synthesis of olefins by a reductive coupling reaction.
abstract: Ketones and aldehydes are converted to symmetrical and (E)-olefins (1-15) by reaction with 2,4-bis(phenyl)-1,3-diselenadiphosphetane-2,4-diselenide (PhPSe(2))(2), Woollins' reagent, in refluxing toluene; use of diketones was demonstrated by the reaction of PhC(O)CH(2)C(O)Ph which gives 1,2,4,5-tetraphenylbenzene (16) in 83% yield.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK.
authors.forename: Guoxiong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Alexandra M Z
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Slawin
authors.forename: J Derek
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Woollins