Palladium-catalyzed C–H trifluoromethylselenolation of arenes with [Me 4 N][SeCF 3 ] and an oxidant

Trifluoromethylselenolation of arenes with [Me4N][SeCF3] in the presence of an oxidant through Pd-catalyzed C(sp2)-H activation under the assistance of a directing group is established for the first time. The reaction tolerates different directing groups and a variety of functional groups, enabling selective installation of a SeCF3 moiety onto the ortho positions of arenes. Mechanistic studies revealed that the CF3SeSeCF3 intermediate in situ generated from oxidation of [Me4N][SeCF3] might be the real SeCF3 reagent in the reaction.