A new
catalytic protocol for the synthesis of selenoesters from
aryl iodides and diaryl diselenides has been developed, where formic
acid was employed as an efficient, low-cost, and safe substitute for
toxic and gaseous CO. This protocol presents a high functional group
tolerance, providing access to a large family of selenoesters in high
yields (up to 97%) while operating under mild reaction conditions,
and avoids the use of selenol which is difficult to manipulate, easily
oxidizes, and has a bad odor. Additionally, this method can be efficiently
extended to the synthesis of thioesters with moderate-to-excellent
yields, by employing for the first time diorganyl disulfides as precursors.