Visible-light-promoted cross-coupling reaction of hypervalent bis-catecholato silicon compounds with selenosulfonates or thiosulfonates

Under mild metal-free conditions, we successfully developed a visible-light-promoted free radical cross coupling of hypervalent bis-catecholato silicon compounds with selenosulfonates or thiosulfonates and efficiently constructed unsymmetrical 1 degrees-alkyl-alkyl selenide compounds which are difficult to prepare. This protocol uses mild reaction conditions and easily available substrates, has a wide range substrate scope, high yields, and simple operation and no need of expensive photosensitive catalysts. It provides a green and simple method for the preparation of unsymmetrical alkyl-alkyl selenide compounds. At the same time, this strategy is also applicable for the efficient construction of aryl-alkyl selenides, heteroayl-alkyl selenides and aryl-alkyl sulfides.