Metal-Free Photochemical C-Se Cross-Coupling of Aryl Halides with Diselenides

A light-mediated C-Se bond coupling reaction of aryl halides with diselenides under mild photocatalyst-free conditions for preparing aryl selenoethers has been achieved. The transformation is charactered by readily available materials, mild conditions, broad substrate scope and high efficiency. A reasonable mechanism has been proposed based on the preliminary mechanistic investigation. The protocol is also suitable for forging C-S bond and C-Te bond by the use of disulfides and ditellurides.

Automated summary

A light-mediated C-Se bond coupling reaction between aryl halides and diselenides has been achieved under mild and photocatalyst-free conditions, resulting in the synthesis of aryl selenoethers. The transformation offers readily available materials, mild reaction conditions, a broad substrate scope, and high efficiency. A plausible mechanism has been proposed based on the initial mechanistic investigation, and the protocol is also applicable for forging C-S and C-Te bonds using disulfides and ditellurides.