Transition‐Metal Free, One Pot Synthesis of Selenoesters via Reaction of Alkyl Selenides and Acyl Chlorides

Herein, we report a new and efficient method for the synthesis of selenoesters by a direct coupling reaction of alkyl selenides with acyl chlorides in ethanol under transition metal‐free conditions. This nucleophilic acyl substitution afforded selenoesters in good yields. Traditionally, synthesis of selenoesters involve the reaction of acyl chlorides with an organoselenium anions generated in situ through the reductive cleavage of previously prepared diselenides. Our one‐pot approach avoids the pre‐preparation of diselenides and operated in atom‐economical and environmentally friendly conditions. The synthetic utility of these selenoesters was studied using Se‐butyl benzoselenoate as substrate in a Sonogashira‐type cross‐coupling reaction. One‐pot synthesis of selenoesters through the reaction of sodium selenide (generated in‐situ from the reaction of sodium borohydride and elemental selenium) with organic bromide and a subsequent reaction with acylchloride.