Catalyst-free direct C-H selenoxylation of (hetero)arenes

Abstract

Arylseleninic acids are bench-stable and user-friendly Se(II)-based electrophiles widely employed in the synthesis of selenides. In contrast, their application as Se(IV)-based electrophiles remains largely unexplored. Herein, we report a catalyst-free direct C-H selenoxylation of electron-rich (hetero)arenes using seleninic acids as selenoxylation precursors. This simple and efficient protocol produces water as the only byproduct.