Recent developments in the chemistry of selenoethers and telluroethers

The synthesis, properties and structures of complexes of mono-, bi-, poly-dentate and macrocyclis seleno- and telluro-ethers with both d-block and p-block elements reported in the last 10 years are described. Sections also describe the synthesis of new polydentate and macrocyclic ligands, the uses of their complexes applications of Se-77- and Te-125-NMR spectroscopy, and current theories of bonding between d-block metals and neutral Group 16 donor ligands. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.