Diphenyl ditelluride

Diphenylditelluride is the chemical compound with the formula (C6H5Te)2, abbreviated Ph2Te2 This orange-coloured solid is the oxidized derivative of the unstable benzenetellurol, PhTeH. Ph2Te2 is used as a source of the PhTe unit in organic synthesis.

Preparation
Ph2Te2 is prepared by the oxidation of phenyltelluroate, which is generated via the Grignard reagent:
 * PhMgBr +  Te  &rarr;  PhTeMgBr
 * 2PhTeMgBr + 0.5 O2  +  H2O  &rarr;  Ph2Te2  +  2 MgBr(OH)

The molecule has C2 symmetry.

Safety
Organotellurium compounds are toxic.