Se-mediated one-pot synthesis of 2-substituted benzoselenazole derivatives from 2 to iodoanilines and arylacetic acids/arylmethyl chlorides

A general approach to the formation of 2-substituted benzoselenazoles from the three-component reactions of 2-iodoanilines, selenium powder, arylacetic acids or benzyl chlorides is described. The use of copper salt as catalyst and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as solvent are crucial to afford the title compounds in moderate to good yields (45–88%) with good functional group tolerance on the aromatic and heteroaromatic substrates.