The reaction of selenoaldehydes with 2-methoxyfuran using their generation by retro Diels-Alder reaction

Selenoaldehydes, regenerated by thermal retro Diels-Alder reaction of anthracene cycloadducts under neutral conditions, reacted with 2-methoxyfuran to give methyl penta-2,4-dienoates along with the deposition of elemental selenium. In a similar reaction with 2-methoxyfuran using thioaldehyde, thiirane compound was isolated. This suggests the formation of selenirane intermediates in the above reaction. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.