The polyhedral nature of selenium-catalysed reactions: Se(iv) species instead of Se(vi) species make the difference in the on water selenium-mediated oxidation of arylamines

Selenium-mediated on water oxidation of arylamines with H₂O₂ is reported. Nitroarenes or azoxyarenes are selectively achieved by switching the selenium catalyst. Mechanistic analysis and ⁷⁷Se NMR studies highlighted the key role of Se(iv) species.