Application of Selenium dioxide CAS 7446-08-4

In the manufacture of other selenium compounds; as a reagent for alkaloids; as oxidizing agent: L. F. Fieser, M. Fieser, Reagents for Organic Chemistry vol. 1 (New York, Wiley, 1967) p 992.    

Uses

Selenium dioxide (SeO2) is used as an oxidizing agent, as a catalyst, and as an antioxidant for lubricating oils and grease.

It is used in the manufacture of other selenium compounds. Selenium dioxide is an oxidizing agent mostly used in the allylic oxidation of alkenes to produce allylic alcohols. It is used in creating colorless glass and toner in photographic developing.

Production Methods

While selenium dioxide, SeO2, can be produced by direct reaction of the element with oxygen activated by passage through HNO3, the compound is easily made by heating selenious acid, H2SeO3. Selenium dioxide sublimes at 315–317 °C (599–603 °F), and is readily reduced by SO2 to elemental selenium.