Simple and catalyst-free method for the synthesis of diaryl selenides by reactions of arylselenols and arenediazonium salts

We describe here a simple and catalyst-free method to synthesize diaryl selenides by reaction of arenediazonium tetrafluoroborate salts with arylselenols, generated in situ by using diaryl diselenides and hypophosphorous acid (H₃PO₂), using THF as solvent. This is a direct nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reaction performed with diaryl diselenides and arenediazonium salts bearing electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups affording the corresponding diaryl selenides in moderated to good yields.