Transition Metal Oxide Nanopowder and Ionic Liquid: an Efficient System for the Synthesis of Diorganyl Selenides, Selenocysteine and Derivatives

We have developed an efficient method for the synthesis of diorganyl selenides and beta-seleno amines using Zn, catalytic amounts of ZnO nanopowder, as a catalyst and ionic liquid as a recyclable solvent. This ZnO/ionic liquid system shows high efficiency in catalyzing these transformations with the formation of the desired products in high yields.