Microwave-assisted one-pot synthesis of symmetrical diselenides, ditellurides and disulfides from organoyl iodides and elemental chalcogen catalyzed by CuO nanoparticles

In this study CuO nanoparticles were applied as a catalyst for CSe, CTe, and CS bond formation. The reaction was performed with organoyl iodides and elemental selenium, tellurium or sulfur under microwave irradiation in the presence of a base and solvent at 80 °C. This novel protocol allowed the synthesis of a variety of diselenides, ditellurides and disulfides in good to excellent yields in a very short reaction time.