PhI Catalyzed Acetoxyselenylation and Formyloxyselenylation of Alkenes

With PhI as catalyst and m CPBA as oxidant, a novel and efficient catalytic procedure has been developed for the acetoxyselenylation and formyloxyselenylation of alkenes. In this protocol, PhI is first oxidized into hypervalent iodine intermediate, which promotes the cleavage of Se–Se bond in diselenides. The in situ generated electrophilic selenium species then reacts with alkenes, affording 2‐acetoxy‐1‐selenides and 2‐formyloxy‐1‐selenides in high regioselectivity and good yields.