Utilization of Phenyl Trialkylstannyl Selenide as a Promising Reagent for Introduction of the Phenylseleno Group

New synthetic methods of organoselenium compounds by the use of phenyl tributylstannyl selenide (PhSeSnBu3) (1), which is a stable selenium reagent in air and moisture, as a phenylselenated reagent have been developed. In the presence of palladium complex catalyst, the reaction of 1 with organohalogen compounds took place efficiently to give the corresponding organoselenium compounds in moderate to good yields. Furthermore, it was found that Lewis acid assisted the reaction of 1 with oxygen-containing compounds giving the corresponding organoselenium compounds.