Biomimetic seleninates and selenonates.

The synthesis of a variety of pyranose-, nucleoside-, (amino acid)-, and polyhydric-based seleninic and selenonic acids by DMDO oxidation of the corresponding selenoesters is reported, as well as some unusual coupling reactions of the seleninate and selenonate functionality with biological nucleophilic groups (sulfhydryl, indole, phenol, imidazole, carboxamide) that are found in proteins and enzyme active sites.