Anodic Oxidation of m-terphenyl thio-, seleno-and telluroethers: Lowered oxidation potentials due to chalcogen.•••π interaction

Abstract

The electrochemistry of m-terphenylthio-, seleno-, and telluroethers was studied using cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile. All of the compounds studied showed irreversible oxidations. The first oxidation potentials for the thio- and selenoethers are less positive than expected. This facilitation in oxidation is ascribed to through-space S···π and Se···π interaction, respectively, on removal of an electron. No evidence for a comparable effect was found for the phenyltelluro-ethers studied.