Potassium selenocyanate as an efficient selenium source in C–Se cross-coupling catalyzed by copper iodide in water

Role of Group 12 Metals in the Reduction of H2O2 by Santi's Reagent: A Computational Mechanistic Investigation

PhSeZnCl, which is also known as Santi's reagent, can catalyze the reduction of hydrogen peroxide by thiols with a GPx-like mechanism. In this work, the first step of this catalytic cycle, i.e., the reduction of H2O2 by PhSeZnCl, is investigated in silico using state-of-the-art density functional theory calculations. Then, the role of the metal is evaluated by replacing Zn with its group 12 siblings (Cd and Hg). The thermodynamic and kinetic factors favoring Zn are elucidated. Furthermore, the role of the halogen is considered by replacing Cl with Br in all three metal compounds, and this turns out to be negligible. Finally, the overall GPx-like mechanism of PhSeZnCl and PhSeZnBr is discussed by evaluating the energetics of the mechanistic path leading to the disulfide product.

Transition-metal-catalyzed one-pot selenylation of electrophilic arylating agents using triphenyltin chloride/Se as a phenylselenating agent

Three novel and efficient protocols for the synthesis of phenyl aryl selenides through a three-component coupling reaction of triphenyltin chloride with aryl halides, phenolic esters or nitroarenes, and Se powder catalyzed by CuI or Cu(OAc)₂ in the presence of a base in PEG200 at 90-100 °C have been developed. Also, NiFe₂O₄ as a magnetically reusable nanocatalyst was applied in these reactions under similar reaction conditions. The present methods are superior to other currently available methods due to the use of triphenyltin chloride/Se as a phenylselenating agent and phenolic esters and nitroarenes as a coupling partner for C-Se-C bond formation for the first time, a green solvent and inexpensive and reusable catalysts, and avoidance of any toxic and expensive arylselenating reagents.

Recent Developments and Perspectives in the C-Se Cross Coupling Reactions

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The C-Se bond forming reactions are attractive synthetic strategies for biochemists and synthetic chemists alike for the synthesis of various molecules that are of biological, pharmaceutical and material interest. Therefore, the design and synthesis of organoselenium compounds currently constitute engaging fundamental problems in applied chemistry both in pharmaceutical and academic laboratories. This review discusses the recent works reported in carbon–selenium cross-coupling reactions with the emphasis on the mechanistic aspects of the reactions. The reacting species, the addition of ligands, selection of catalysts, use of suitable solvents, proper setting of reaction time, are well discussed to understand the detailed mechanism. Various simple, economical and environmentally friendly protocols are demonstrated, which ensured product stability, low toxicity, environmentally benign and excellent reactivity for the synthesis of organoselenium compounds. This review covers the scientific literature from 2010 to 2019.

Ullmann-type C-Se Cross-Coupling in the Hydantoin Family: Synthesis, Mechanistic Studies, and Tests of Biological Activity

An attractive strategy for C-Se bond formation by Ullmann-type copper(I)-promoted cross-coupling is developed. A wide range of aryliodides reacts with various disubstituted 2-selenohydantoins under mild conditions and provides Se-arylated imidazolines in moderate to high yields. Computational mechanistic studies show the oxidative addition/intramolecular reductive elimination likely to be the lowest-energy pathway. Cytotoxic activity of all 43 reaction products has been tested in vitro against MCF7 and A549 cancer cell lines with VA13 and MCF10a control cells.

Solution-synthesis of Sb2Se3 nanorods using KSeCN as a molecular selenium source

Potassium selenocyanate (KSeCN) is used as a molecular selenium source to prepare Sb₂Se₃ nanorods, in which selenocyanate (SeCN⁻) anions are thermally decomposed to elemental Se(0) and then reduced to Se²⁻ anions in the organic amine medium.

Copper-catalyzed direct C–H arylselenation of 4-nitro-pyrazoles and other heterocycles with selenium powder and aryl iodides. Access to unsymmetrical heteroaryl selenides

A one-pot, Cu-catalyzed direct C–H arylselenation protocol using elemental Se and aryl iodides was developed for nitro-substituted, N-alkylated pyrazoles, imidazoles and other heterocycles including 4H-chromen-4-one. This general and concise method allows one to obtain a large number of unsymmetrical heteroaryl selenides bearing a variety of substituents. The presence of the nitro group was confirmed to be essential for the C–H activation and can also be used for further functionalisation and manipulation. Several examples of heteroannulated benzoselenazines were also synthesized using the developed synthetic protocol.

In this work, we elaborated a general and straightforward method which permits the rapid assembly of unsymmetrical heteroaryl-aryl selenides containing 4-nitropyrazole, 4-nitroimidazole and a few other heterocyclic scaffolds.

Catalytic Organic Reactions in Water toward Sustainable Society

Traditional organic synthesis relies heavily on organic solvents for a multitude of tasks, including dissolving the components and facilitating chemical reactions, because many reagents and reactive species are incompatible or immiscible with water. Given that they are used in vast quantities as compared to reactants, solvents have been the focus of environmental concerns. Along with reducing the environmental impact of organic synthesis, the use of water as a reaction medium also benefits chemical processes by simplifying operations, allowing mild reaction conditions, and sometimes delivering unforeseen reactivities and selectivities. After the "watershed" in organic synthesis revealed the importance of water, the development of water-compatible catalysts has flourished, triggering a quantum leap in water-centered organic synthesis. Given that organic compounds are typically practically insoluble in water, simple extractive workup can readily separate a water-soluble homogeneous catalyst as an aqueous solution from a product that is soluble in organic solvents. In contrast, the use of heterogeneous catalysts facilitates catalyst recycling by allowing simple centrifugation and filtration methods to be used. This Review addresses advances over the past decade in catalytic reactions using water as a reaction medium.

Thermal and Photoinduced Copper-Promoted C-Se Bond Formation: Synthesis of 2-Alkyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones and Evaluation against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

2-Alkyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones, represented by ebselen (1a), are being studied intensively for a range of medicinal applications. We describe both a new thermal and photoinduced copper-mediated cross-coupling between potassium selenocyanate (KSeCN) and N-substituted ortho-halobenzamides to form 2-alkyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones containing a C-Se-N bond. The copper ligand (1,10-phenanthroline) facilitates C-Se bond formation during heating via a mechanism that likely involves atom transfer (AT), whereas, in the absence of ligand, photoinduced activation likely proceeds through a single electron transfer (SET) mechanism. A library of 15 2-alkyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones was prepared. One member of the library was azide-containing derivative 1j that was competent to undergo a strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition. The library was evaluated for inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) growth and Mtb Antigen 85C (Mtb Ag85C) activity. Compound 1f was most potent with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5 μg/mL and an Mtb Ag85C apparent IC₅₀ of 8.8 μM.

“The green side of the moon: ecofriendly aspects of organoselenium chemistry”

Key aspects for the development of a greener synthesis and the use of the organoselenium compounds.