Metal-Free Three-Component Coupling Reaction of Ketones with Electron-rich Arenes and Selenium Dioxide for the Synthesis of α‑Arylselanyl Ketones

A metal-free three-component coupling
reaction of aryl alkyl/alkyl
ketones, SeO2, and phenols/anisoles is described. This
multicomponent reaction provides a straightforward and facile pathway
for the synthesis of α-((4-hydroxy/methoxyphenyl)­selanyl)-aryl
alkyl/alkyl ketones in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic
acid for the C–Se bond formation process. The method offers
an attractive and simple procedure using commonly available shelf
reagents to deliver organoselenides that, to our knowledge, are being
reported here for the first time.