Diethyl selenide

Diethyl selenide is an organoselenium compound with the formula. First reported in 1836, it was the first organoselenium compound to be discovered. It is the selenium analogue of diethyl ether. It has a strong and unpleasant smell.

Occurrence

Diethyl selenide has been detected in biofuel produced from plantain peel.
It is also a minor air pollutant in some areas.

Preparation

It may be prepared by a substitution reaction similar to the Williamson ether synthesis: reaction of a metal selenide, such as sodium selenide, with two equivalents of ethyl iodide or similar reagent to supply the ethyl groups: