Sodium Persulfate Mediated Selenylation of Arenofurans

Abstract

The metal‐free sodium persulfate mediated direct selenylation of arenofurans with diaryl diselenides at room temperature was developed, and the products were obtained in high yields. The reaction was found to be applicable to a variety of naphthofurans, benzofurans, and furocoumarins. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the metal‐free direct selenylation of arenofurans. The experimental results suggest that the reaction proceeds through an electrophilic substitution pathway.