Selenide

selenide [′sel·ə‚nīd]

(inorganic chemistry)

M₂Se A binary compound of divalent selenium, such as Ag₂Se, silver selenide.

(organic chemistry)

An organic compound containing divalent selenium, such as (C₂H₅)₂Se, ethyl selenide.

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Selenide 

any of the chemical compounds formed with selenium and metals. Selenides are analogues of sulfides and tellu-rides. They are obtained by, for example, the direct reactions of elements, the reactions of metals and corresponding oxides with H₂Se, and the action of H₂Se on solutions of metal salts. Normal selenides and polyselenides are known, the former being more stable. Selenides of the transition elements of groups IV-VIII and of the lanthanides and actinides form chemically stable, refractory (melting points 2000°–2500°C) compounds.

Selenides of metals belonging to the zinc subgroup are primarily used in resistors and photoelectric cells. Gallium selenides are used in laser technology and nonlinear optics. The selenides of transition metals can be used in high-temperature semiconductor devices; diselenides of molybdenum and tungsten serve as solid lubricants in the friction points of machines. Organic selenides are also known.

REFERENCES

Chizhikov, D. M., and V. P. Schastlivyi. Selen i selenidy. Moscow, 1964.
Obolonchik, V. A. Selenidy. Moscow, 1972.
Medvedeva, Z. S. Khal’kogenidy elementov III B podgruppy periodicheskoi sistemy. Moscow, 1968.