Copper-catalyzed direct and odorless selenylation with a sodium selenite-based reagent

Abstract

A new method using a sodium selenite-based (NaO₂SeR) direct selenylation reagent has been developed. NaO₂SeR is odorless, shelf-stable, easy to handle, practical and scalable. Good yields and a broad functional group compatibility were observed when it was reacted with indoles, a furan, pyrrole and ketones under reductive conditions to afford the corresponding organoselenium products.