In situ formation of the electrophilic phenylselenenyl sulfate triggered by light

Ammonium persulfate is a mild oxidant capable of oxidizing the selenium-selenium bond through thermal activation or under drastic acid catalysis. In this paper we highlight that this reaction can be activated photochemically, starting from diphenyl diselenide in the absence of any organic or and/or metallic photocatalyst or additive. The protocol was applied to a well-known panel of selenoalkoxylation reactions and the obtained results clearly indicate the involvement of an electrophilic selenium reagent.