DMSO/iodine-catalyzed oxidative C-Se/C-S bond formation: a regioselective synthesis of unsymmetrical chalcogenides with nitrogen- or oxygen-containing arenes

A convenient metal-free and solvent-free iodine-catalyzed regioselective greener protocol to access different types of unsymmetrical chalcogenides with nitrogen-or oxygen-containing arenes through oxidative C-Se/C-S formation via direct C(sp(2))-H bond activation was developed. The products were obtained in good to excellent yields using [O or N]-containing arenes, half equiv. of various odorless diorganyl dichalcogenides (S/Se), iodine (20 mol%) as the catalyst and 3 equiv. of DMSO as the oxidant, applying MW irradiation for 10 min.