A three-component reaction between alkenes, secondary phosphanes, and elemental selenium: a novel, efficient, atom-economic synthesis of diselenophosphinic esters

A novel, convenient, atom-economic approach toward the synthesis of diselenophosphinic esters has been developed via the three-component reaction between aryl- or hetarylalkenes secondary phosphanes, and elemental selenium. The reaction proceeds without a catalyst (85 °C, 3 h, 1,4-dioxane) to afford the target compounds in good to high yields.