CuO nanoparticles: an efficient and recyclable catalyst for cross-coupling reactions of organic diselenides with aryl boronic acids

We present here an efficient and ligand-free cross-coupling reaction of organic diselenides with aryl boronic acids using a catalytic amount of CuO nanoparticles in DMSO at 100 degrees C under air atmosphere. This is a general cross-coupling reaction and was performed with organic diselenides and aryl boronic acids bearing electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups affording the corresponding selenides in good to excellent yields. The CuO nanoparticles can be easily recovered and utilized for further catalytic reactions. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.