Unexpected C−Se Cross-Coupling Reaction: Copper Oxide Catalyzed Synthesis of Symmetrical Diaryl Selenides via Cascade Reaction of Selenourea with Aryl Halides/Boronic Acids

Selenourea is used as an effective selenium surrogate in the C−Se cross-coupling reaction catalyzed by copper oxide nanoparticles under ligand free conditions. This protocol has been utilized for the synthesis of a variety of symmetrical diaryl selenides in good to excellent yields from the readily available aryl halides/boronic acids.