Bimetallic system for the synthesis of diorganyl selenides and sulfides, chiral β-seleno amines, and seleno- and thioesters

The bimetallic reagent Sn(II)/Cu(II) in [bmim]BF4 was efficiently used for the cleavage of diaryl diselenides and disulfides and reacts with a variety of organic substrates, such as organic halides, acid chlorides, and beta-amino mesylates affording the diorganyl selenides and sulfides within very short reaction times, under mild conditions and with excellent yields, using BMIM-BF4 as a reusable solvent. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.