New Catalytic Method for the Synthesis of β‐Hydroxy Selenides

In the presence of NH₄I as catalyst and m‐chloroperbenzoic acid as oxidant, the Se–Se bond cleavage of diselenides undergoes smoothly. The in situ generated reactive electrophilic Se species reacts with alkenes quickly, and a series of β‐hydroxy selenides are prepared in good yields. This new catalytic method for synthesis of β‐hydroxy selenides is a stereospecific anti addition, which occurs with a Markovnikov orientation.