Potassium bromide or sodium chloride catalyzed acetoxyselenenylation of alkenes with diselenides and mCPBA

KBr or NaCl is found to be a good catalyst in Se–Se bond cleavage of diselenides in the present of the oxidant mCPBA. The electrophilic addition of the in situ generated reactive electrophilic selenium species PhSeX (X = Br, Cl) to alkenes in AcOH provides a convenient access to 2-acetoxy-1-selenides. Compared with other catalysts, KBr or NaCl is less expensive and more environment-friendly.

In the presence of a catalytic amount of KBr or NaCl, a convenient procedure has been developed for the acetoxyselenenylation of alkenes.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide