New Catalytic Method for the Synthesis of β-Hydroxy Selenides.

In the presence of NH4I as catalyst and m-chloroperbenzoic acid as oxidant, the Se-Se bond cleavage of diselenides undergoes smoothly. The in situ generated reactive electrophilic Se species reacts with alkenes quickly, and a series of β-hydroxy selenides are prepared in good yields. This new catalytic method for synthesis of β-hydroxy selenides is a stereospecific anti addition, which occurs with a Markovnikov orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]