Synthesis of polydentate chalcogen-containing ligands using the system hydrazine hydrate–base

The reaction of dichlorodiethyl ether or dichlorodiethylamine hydrochloride with potassium or ethanolammonium dichalcogenides prepared in situ from elemental sulfur or selenium in the system hydrazine hydrate–alkali results in oligomeric dichalcogenides, whose further splitting at the chalcogen–chalcogen bond in the same system and subsequent alkylation affords bis(organylsulfanyl)- or bis(organylselanyl)-substituted derivatives of diethyl ether or diethylamine. Ligands with aryl substituents at the chalcogens have been prepared in 48-59% yield by splitting of diaryldichalcogenides in the system hydrazine hydrate–alkali and subsequent reaction with dichlorodiethyl ether or dichlorodiethylamine. A ditopic tetradentate ligand has been synthesized by the use of dichlorodiethylformal.