Preparation and characterization of methyl substituted 2,2 '-dipyridyl diselenides, 2,2 '-dipyridyl ditellurides, and their derivatives

A number of methyl substituted 2,2'-dipyridyl diselenides and -ditellurides have been prepared. Effect of the solvent and the substituents on the rate of these reactions have also been studied. The preparation of 2-methylseleno/telluro picolines by reductive cleavage of the diselenides and ditellurides and by one pot reaction using n-BuLi at -78degreesC in THF is reported.