Molecular activation of organic bis-chalcogen compounds via through-space and through-bond interactions between chalcogen atoms

Various types of bis-chalcogenides and their monooxides which have the two chalcogen atoms in close proximity can be activated photochemically or chemically to generate a reactive species such as o-quinodimethane or to promote dealkylation reactions. These molecular activations proceed via intramolecular through-space interaction between the two chalcogen atoms or the formation of sigma-bonded dichalcogenadication. Intermolecular through-space and intramolecular through-bond interactions as new modes are also described.