Intramolecular Nonbonding Interactions between Selenium and Sulfur –Spectroscopic Evidence and Importance in Asymmetric Synthesis

Chiral sulfur-containing electrophilic selenium reagents can be employed to effect efficient asymmetric syntheses. Spectroscopic and chemical evidence demonstrate that the observed high selectivity of the asymmetric reactions is associated with a nonbonding selenium-sulfur interaction that is present in both the crystalline form and in solution.