A cost-effective shortcut to prepare organoselenium catalysts via decarboxylative coupling of phenylacetic acid with elemental selenium

An interesting decarboxylative coupling reaction of phenylacetic acid with elemental selenium was discovered and employed for the preparation efficient organoselenium catalysts for Baeyer-Villiger reaction and oxidative deoximation reaction. Compared with the traditionally used Grignard reagent method, the decarboxylative coupling reaction with selenium powders provides a shortcut for the preparation of organoselenium catalysts free of carcinogenic organohalide starting materials, toxic and odorous selenol intermediates and magnesium salt solid wastes. This may be helpful for reducing the cost of selenium catalysts to facilitate the application of organoselenium-catalyzed green reactions in large-scale production.