Microwave-assisted Cu2O-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of symmetrical diaryl selenides from elemental selenium

A novel and simple microwave-assisted one-pot protocol to prepare symmetrical diaryl selenides has been developed. A cross-coupling reaction between aryl iodide and elemental selenium takes place in the presence of KOH and a catalytic amount of Cu2O/NH2CH2CH2NH2, leading to C–Se bond formation. The reactions are highly efficient with a reaction time of 1 h under microwave irradiation and yields from 50% to 90%.