UV light-mediated alkylation of inorganic selenium

In the presence of low molecular weight organic acids (formic, acetic, propionic and malonic), inorganic selenium(IV) is converted by UV irradiation to volatile selenium carbonyl, dimethylselenide and diethylselenide, depending on the acid used. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the volatile products shows that, in 0.7 M formic acid solution, approximately 60-70% (v/v) SeH2 and 30-40% (v/v) SeCO are formed. The presence of nitrate ion appears to increase threefold the formation of SeCO while completely suppressing formation of SeH2. Copyright (C) 2003 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley Sons, Ltd.