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.