Synthesis 2011(15): 2397-2406  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1260083
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Synthesis of Arylseleno-1,2,3-triazoles via Copper-Catalyzed 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azido Arylselenides with Alkynes

Anna M. Deobalda, Leandro R. S. Camargoa, Manfredo Hörnera, Oscar E. D. Rodriguesa, Diego Alves*b, Antonio L. Braga*c
a Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Departamento de Química, CEP 97105-900, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
b LASOL, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Departamento de Química Orgânica, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
Fax: +55(48)37216850; e-Mail: diego.alves@ufpel.edu.br;
c Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Departamento de Química, CEP 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
e-Mail: albraga@qmc.ufsc.br;

Further Information

Publication History

Received 3 April 2011
Publication Date:
21 June 2011 (online)

Abstract

The use of organoselenium compounds in the copper-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azido arylselenides with various alkynes is described. Arylseleno-1,2,3-triazoles are prepared in excellent yields via reaction of amino arylselenides with iso-pentylnitrite and trimethylsilyl azide, and subsequent copper-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the resulting azido arylselenides with alkynes. The cycloaddition is also performed under mild conditions with several azido arylselenides and phenylacetylene to afford the corresponding arylseleno-1,2,3-triazoles in good to excellent yields. This click chemistry protocol represents an efficient method to produce new selenium-nitrogen compounds.

1,2,3-Triazoles, which are five-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycles, are an important class of compounds which display a wide spectrum of biological activity and are employed extensively as explosives and agrochemicals. [¹] There are several methods available in the literature for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles. One of the most attractive involves the thermal 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azides with alkynes, as pioneered by Huisgen. [²] The Huisgen­ 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition route toward the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles was popularized by Sharpless and co-workers, who discovered a copper-catalyzed reaction protocol. [³] The development of this copper-catalyzed process represented an important advance in triazole synthesis, and has become a paradigm of click chemistry. [4] The term click chemistry defines a chemical reaction which is versatile and clean, and which involves simple work-up and purification procedures. [4] The copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition represents a very effective example of click chemistry and has wide applications in various fields of chemistry, such as in the discovery and modulation of drug candidates, [5] the development of new materials, [6] the design of new catalysts, [7] supramolecular chemistry [8] and in biotechnology. [9]

Scheme 1 Syntheses of azido arylselenides and diselenides

Organoselenium compounds are attractive synthetic targets because of their chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective reactions, [¹0] and their association with biological activities. [¹¹] Selenides or diselenides containing nitrogen atoms are a special class of these compounds which have been employed in various organic transformations, for example, in asymmetric synthesis. [¹0d] [¹²] Consequently, the search for new and efficient methods for the preparation of highly-functionalized organoselenium compounds remains a challenge in organic chemistry. In a previous communication, we described the synthesis of azido aryl­selenides 1 starting from nitrogen-substituted benzenes to afford the corresponding products in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions (Scheme  [¹] ). [¹³] This class of compounds has wider synthetic importance since they combine the well-known reactivity of the azido group [¹4] with that of a selenium-containing moiety. [¹5]

Azido arylselenides 1 appear to be highly promising substrates for copper-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions to give selenium-triazole derivatives. Although the synthesis of selenium-containing triazole compounds has been reported previously, [¹6] no procedure using a copper-catalyzed protocol has been described so far. This fact encouraged us to explore in detail the synthesis of azido arylselenides and diselenides 1, and their subsequent use in the copper-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with alkynes 2 to give arylseleno-1,2,3-triazoles 3 (Scheme  [²] ).

Scheme 2 Synthesis of arylseleno-1,2,3-triazoles 3

Our initial studies were focused on the synthesis of azido arylselenides and diselenides 1, as key intermediates for the preparation of the desired arylseleno-1,2,3-triazoles. Starting from nitrogen-substituted benzenes, and following incorporation of the arylselenium moiety on the aromatic ring, a number of amino arylselenides were obtained with satisfactory results (Scheme  [¹] ). [¹³] These compounds were converted into azido arylselenides 1 in good to excellent yields after reaction with iso-pentylnitrite and trimethylsilyl azide in tetrahydrofuran at 0 ˚C. Using optimized reaction conditions the corresponding azido arylchalcogenides and dichalcogenides were synthesized and the results are summarized in Table  [¹] .

Analysis of these results indicated that the reactions were slightly sensitive to electronic effects. Examples with electron-neutral and electron-donating groups on the arylseleno moiety gave the best yields of products (Table  [¹] , entries 1-3, 5 and 6). The presence of electron-withdrawing groups on the arylseleno moiety led to decreased yields of the desired products (Table  [¹] , entries 4 and 7). Compound 1h, a hindered azido arylselenide, was obtained in 75% yield (Table  [¹] , entry 8). This method was extended to other amino arylchalcogenide and dichalcogenides to give azido arylsulfide 1j, azido aryldiselenide 1k and azido arylditelluride 1l in 99%, 71% and 50% yields, respectively (Table  [¹] , entries 10-12).

Table 1 Synthesis of Azido Arylchalcogenides 1a-l

Entry Product
Yield (%)a
 1 1a

99
 2 1b

96
 3 1c

95
 4 1d

88
 5 1e

99
 6 1f

95
 7 1g

80
 8 1h

75
 9 1i

75
10 1j

99
11 1k

71
12 1l

50

a Yield of isolated product.

Next, we turned our attention to the application of azido arylselenides 1 for the synthesis of arylseleno-1,2,3-triazoles 3, using a copper-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition protocol. The most common experimental procedure for this reaction involves the in situ generation of a copper(I) species by reduction of copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4˙5H2O) with sodium ascorbate in aqueous medium. [³a] Thus, in a preliminary set of experiments, we studied the reaction of 2-azido arylselenide 1a with phenylacetylene (2a) in the presence of copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate (5 mol%) and sodium ascorbate (10 mol%) in mixtures of different solvents (Table  [²] ).

Analysis of the results in Table  [²] revealed that the cycloaddition reaction afforded the desired product in high yields using a variety of solvent systems (Table  [²] , entries 1-6). An interesting feature of this method was that water was required as a co-solvent for successful 1,2,3-triazole synthesis. This may be due to the increased solubility of sodium ascorbate and the copper salt in this solvent. Reactions using ultrasonic irradiation and ionic liquids proved to be less effective (Table  [²] , entries 9-11). Although most of the solvent systems investigated led to formation of the desired compound in high yield, the water-tetrahydrofuran (1:1) mixture proved to be the most effective for this transformation (Table  [²] , entry 6). It is important to note that the reaction was not air-sensitive.

The influence of the type and amount of copper salt on this reaction was also studied. Various copper catalysts including copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate, copper(II) bromide, copper(II) triflate [Cu(OTf)2], copper(II) acetate monohydrate [Cu(OAc)2˙H2O] and copper(II) oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were tested, and found to display moderate to good catalytic activity (Table  [³] ). Of the copper salts examined, copper(II) acetate monohydrate (5 mol%) gave the highest catalytic activity, affording compound 3a in 92% yield (Table  [³] , entry 5). Good yields of product 3a were also obtained when the amount of the copper catalyst was reduced (2.5 mol% and 1 mol%) (Table  [³] , entries 7 and 8). The reaction time had an influence on the yield of product 3a, and the best yield (97%) was obtained after 12 hours at room temperature using 1 mol% of catalyst (Table  [³] , entry 10).

Table 2 A Study of the Effect of Solvent on the Cycloaddition of 2-Azido Arylselenide 1a and Phenylacetylene (2a)

Entry Solvent (ratio) Yield of 3a (%)a
 1 H2O-MeOH (1:1) 85
 2 H2O-MeOH (0.5:1) 83
 3 H2O-CH2Cl2 (1:1) 81
 4 H2O-Et2O (1:1) 86
 5 H2O-acetone (1:1) 87
 6 H2O-THF (1:1) 89
 7 H2O-THF (0.5:1) 47
 8 H2O-THF (1:1)b 87
 9 H2O-THF (1:1)c 68
10 [bmim]BF4 d -
11 H2O-[bmim]BF4 (1:1) 56

a Yield of isolated product.
b Reaction under an Ar atmosphere.
c Reaction under ultrasonic irradiation for 2 h.
d [bmim]BF4 = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate.
Table 3 The Effect of Various Copper Salts on the Cycloaddition of 2-Azido Arylselenide 1a and Phenylacetylene (2a)

Entry Copper salt
(mol%)
Sodium ascorbate (mol%) Yield of 3a (%)a
 1 CuSO4˙5H2O (5) 10 89
 2 CuBr2 (5) 10 71
 3 Cu(OTf)2 (5) 10 66
 4 CuO NPs (5) 10 77
 5 Cu(OAc)2˙H2O (5) 10 92
 6 Cu(OAc)2˙H2O (5)b 10 93
 7 Cu(OAc)2˙H2O (2.5)  5 90
 8 Cu(OAc)2˙H2O (1)  2 89
 9 Cu(OAc)2˙H2O (0.5)  1 20
10 Cu(OAc)2˙H2O (1)c  2 97

a Yield of isolated product.
b Reaction at 50 ˚C.
c Reaction was performed for 12 h at r.t.

Under the optimized conditions, a variety of terminal alkynes reacted smoothly with 2-azido arylselenide 1a to produce arylseleno-1,2,3-triazoles 3a-n in good to excellent yields (Table  [4] ). Alkynes possessing phenyl, substituted aryl, alkyl, vinyl and ester groups were tolerated in this 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, as were those with hydroxy and amine functional groups (Table  [4] , entries 1-12). Interesting results were obtained using (iodoeth­ynyl)benzene and tetradeca-1,13-diyne. These alkynes were cyclized efficiently to afford triazoles 3m and 3n in good yields (Table  [4] , entries 13 and 14).

To further extend the scope of this reaction, phenylacetylene (2a) was reacted with several azido arylselenides and the results are summarized in Table  [5] . 2-Azido arylselenides bearing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups on the arylselenium moiety produced the corresponding arylseleno-1,2,3-triazoles 3o-t in good to excellent yields (Table  [5] , entries 1-6). Additionally, the use of a 4-azido arylselenide gave the desired product 3v in 65% yield (Table  [5] , entry 8). The synthesis of triazoles using other 1-azido arylchalcogenides was studied next. When 2-azido arylsulfide was used, triazole 3w was obtained in an excellent 99% yield (Table  [5] , entry 9). Notably, when azido aryldiselenide 1k was used as the substrate, a satisfactory yield of diaryl-diseleno-1,2,3-triazole 3x was obtained (Table  [5] , entry 10). These diselenide-1,2,3-triazoles have greater synthetic importance since they combine the well-known activity of the triazole group [¹] with that of a diselenide moiety. [¹¹] Extending this protocol to azido-tellurium analogue 1l, we synthesized diaryl-ditelluro-1,2,3-triazole 3y in 63% yield (Table  [5] , entry 11). Interestingly, these results show that the Se-Se and Te-Te bonds were not affected in this copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition; a similar situation was described by Theato and co-workers for S-S bonds. [¹7]

Table 4 Reaction of 1a with Various Alkynes (continued)

Entry Product
Yield (%)a
1 3a (97%)

97
2 3b (96%)

96
3 3c (94%)

94
4 3d (85%)

85
5 3e (95%)

95
6 3f (87%)

87
7 3g (90%)

90
8 3h (91%)

91
 9 3i (97%)

97
10 3j (75%)

75
11 3k (87%)

87
12 3l (86%)

86
13 3m (83%)

83
14 3n (92%)

92

a Yield of isolated product.
Table 5 Reaction of Phenylacetylene (2a) with Various Azido Arylselenides (continued)

Entry Product
Yield (%)a
1 3o

98
2 3p

94
3 3q

88
4 3r

90
5 3s

91
6 3t

87
7 3u

75
 8 3v

65
 9 3w

99
10 3x

60
11 3y

63

a Yield of isolated product.

Finally, compound 3m, obtained via this cycloaddition protocol, proved to be promising as an intermediate in the preparation of more highly-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles. Triazole 3m underwent Suzuki cross-coupling [¹8] with (4-methoxyphenyl)boronic acid to give the corresponding 4,5-disubstituted arylseleno-1,2,3-triazole 4 in good yield (Scheme  [³] ).

Scheme 3 Suzuki cross-coupling of triazole 3m

In summary, we have described the use of organoselenium compounds in copper-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions. Arylseleno-1,2,3-triazoles 3 were prepared in good to excellent yields under mild conditions via reaction of amino arylselenides with iso-pentylnitrite and trimethylsilyl azide, and subsequent copper-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the resulting azido arylselenides 1 with various alkynes. In addition, we were able to convert compound 3m into highly-substituted 1,2,3-triazole 4 in good yield using the Suzuki cross-coupling protocol. We have demonstrated that click chemistry is an efficient method to produce new selenium-nitrogen compounds with potential application for biological studies and as ligands for catalytic transformations.

All solvents were used as purchased unless otherwise noted. Alkynes were used as purchased or were prepared according to the literature. [¹9] Melting points were determined on an MQ APF-302 digital melting point apparatus. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded at 400 MHz and 100 MHz, respectively, using Me4Si as the internal standard. Hydrogen coupling patterns are described as singlet (s), doublet (d), triplet (t), quartet (q), quintet (quin), sextet (sext), multiplet (m), and broad (br). High resolution mass spectra were measured using a Bruker BioApex 70e FT-ICR (Bruker Daltonics, Billerica, USA) instrument in ESI mode. Column chromatography was performed using silica gel (Merck, 230-400 mesh). Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed using silica gel plates (Merck GF254, 0.25 mm). For visualization, TLC plates were either placed under UV light, or stained with I2 vapor, or acidic vanillin.

Azido Arylselenides; General Procedure

iso-Pentylnitrite (1.55 mmol, 0.21 mL) followed by trimethylsilyl azide (1.2 mmol, 0.16 mL) were added to a soln of amino arylselenide (1 mmol) or amino aryldiselenide (0.5 mmol) in THF (1.5 mL), in a dropwise manner at 0 ˚C under air. The mixture was stirred at 0 ˚C for 10 min after which the ice-bath was removed and the mixture stirred at r.t. for 1 h. The solvent was removed under vacuum and the product was isolated by column chromatography (eluent: hexane or hexane-EtOAc).

(2-Azidophenyl)(phenyl)selenide (1a)

Yield: 0.272 g (99%); yellow solid; mp 49-50 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.56-7.53 (m, 2 H), 7.35-7.30 (m, 3 H), 7.23 (td, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.12 (dd, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.02 (dd, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H), 6.94 (td, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 138.83, 135.10, 131.86, 129.56, 128.30, 128.25, 127.88, 125.52, 124.57, 118.17.

(2-Azidophenyl)( p -tolyl)selenide (1b)

Yield: 0.276 g (96%); red oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.45 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2 H), 7.19-7.06 (m, 4 H), 6.94-6.87 (m, 2 H), 2.34 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 138.61, 138.17, 135.75, 130.87, 130.39, 127.35, 125.42, 123.96, 119.55, 117.98, 21.15.

(2-Azidophenyl)(4-methoxyphenyl)selenide (1c)

Yield: 0.289 g (95%); pale-yellow solid; mp 63-64 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.54 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2 H), 7.19 (td, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.10 (dd, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.6 Hz, 1 H), 6.93-6.89 (m, 3 H), 6.84 (dd, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.6 Hz, 1 H), 3.84 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 160.14, 137.92, 137.42, 129.77, 126.86, 126.17, 125.30, 117.77, 117.10, 115.18, 55.02.

(2-Azidophenyl)(4-chlorophenyl)selenide (1d)

Yield: 0.271 g (88%); yellow solid; mp 36-37 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.45 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2 H), 7.29-7.24 (m, 3 H), 7.14 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.05 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1 H), 6.96 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 136.20, 134.67, 132.19, 129.78, 129.44, 128.30, 126.77, 125.64, 123.96, 118.32.

(2-Azidophenyl)( o -tolyl)selenide (1e)

Yield: 0.285 g (99%); red oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.48 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.31-7.28 (m, 2 H), 7.25-7.21 (m, 1 H), 7.14-7.11 (m, 2 H), 6.92 (td, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H), 6.84 (dd, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H), 2.40 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 141.80, 138.82, 136.24, 131.12, 130.45, 129.00, 128.81, 127.63, 126.95, 125.58, 124.05, 118.19, 22.52.

(2-Azidophenyl)(2-methoxyphenyl)selenide (1f)

Yield: 0.290 g (95%); pale-yellow solid; mp 58-60 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.33-7.22 (m, 3 H), 7.17 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.11 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1 H), 6.99 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1 H), 6.89 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1 H), 6.84 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1 H), 3.84 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 157.80, 140.74, 134.60, 133.24, 129.00, 128.87, 125.45, 121.61, 118.75, 118.33, 110.67, 99.98, 55.84.

(2-Azidophenyl)(2-chlorophenyl)selenide (1g)

Yield: 0.247 g (80%); pale-yellow oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.42-7.38 (m, 2 H), 7.35 (dd, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.25-7.17 (m, 2 H), 7.12-7.05 (m, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 141.51, 135.77, 135.31, 132.66, 131.09, 129.88, 129.68, 128.33, 127.42, 125.72, 120.77, 118.65.

(2-Azidophenyl)(mesityl)selenide (1h)

Yield: 0.238 g (75%); yellow solid; mp 88-90 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.16-7.08 (m, 2 H), 7.02 (s, 2 H), 6.84 (td, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.6 Hz, 1 H), 6.47 (dd, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.6 Hz, 1 H), 2.41 (s, 6 H), 2.32 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 144.13, 139.54, 137.56, 128.99, 127.74, 126.28, 125.62, 125.37, 125.07, 118.00, 24.02, 21.05.

(4-Azidophenyl)(phenyl)selenide (1i)

Yield: 0.206 g (75%); orange oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.46-7.40 (m, 4 H), 7.26-7.24 (m, 3 H), 6.92 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 139.57, 134.92, 132.94, 132.49, 129.34, 127.30, 126.67, 119.95.

(2-Azidophenyl)(phenyl)sulfide (1j)

Yield: 0.228 g (99%); colorless oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.33-7.22 (m, 7 H), 7.14-7.08 (m, 1 H), 7.02-6.97 (m, 1 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 139.02, 133.77, 131.99, 131.55, 129.24, 128.16, 127.42, 127.21, 125.24, 118.56.

1,2-Bis(2-azidophenyl)diselenide (1k)

Yield: 0.141 g (71%); brown oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 8.02 (dd, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 2 H), 7.84-7.73 (m, 4 H), 7.60-7.56 (m, 2 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 148.93, 141.24, 139.27, 138.47, 136.21, 128.90.

1,2-Bis(2-azidophenyl)ditelluride (1l)

Yield: 0.124 g (50%); brown oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 8.64-8.62 (m, 2 H), 8.22-8.15 (m, 4 H), 8.03-7.99 (m, 2 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 138.51, 130.89, 129.13, 128.08, 123.98, 118.53.

Aryseleno-1,2,3-Triazoles; General Procedure

To a soln of azido arylselenide (0.3 mmol) in THF (1.0 mL) were added the appropriate alkyne (0.33 mmol) and distilled H2O (0.5 mL). Next, a fresh soln of sodium ascorbate (0.0012 g, 2 mol%) and Cu(OAc)2˙H2O (0.0006 g, 1 mol%) in distilled H2O (0.5 mL) was added and the mixture stirred under air for 12 h. Brine (3 mL) was added and the mixture then extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 5 mL). The organic layers were combined, washed with brine (3 mL) and dried over MgSO4. The solvent was removed under vacuum and the product isolated by column chromatography (eluent: hexane-EtOAc).

4-Phenyl-1-[2-(phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3a)

Yield: 0.110 g (97%); white solid; mp 149-150 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.07 (s, 1 H), 7.91-7.89 (m, 2 H), 7.51-7.43 (m, 5 H), 7.38-7.27 (m, 7 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 147.67, 136.85, 135.02, 133.16, 130.25, 130.15, 130.12, 129.63, 128.84, 128.60, 128.29, 127.64, 126.05, 125.85, 120.96, 99.91.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C20H16N3Se: 378.0509; found: 378.0506.

1-[2-(Phenylselanyl)phenyl]-4-( p -tolyl)-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3b)

Yield: 0.113 g (96%); pale-yellow solid; mp 135-137 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.03 (s, 1 H), 7.78 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2 H), 7.50-7.44 (m, 4 H), 7.36-7.24 (m, 7 H), 2.38 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 147.72, 138.12, 136.83, 135.03, 133.04, 130.09, 130.04, 129.59, 129.48, 128.81, 128.56, 127.55, 127.39, 125.95, 125.72, 120.56, 21.24.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + Na]+ for C21H17N3SeNa: 414.0485; found: 414.0479.

4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[2-(phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3c)

Yield: 0.115 g (94%); pale-yellow solid; mp 165-167 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.06 (s, 1 H), 7.83 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2 H), 7.49-7.46 (m, 4 H), 7.43-7.25 (m, 7 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 146.61, 136.78, 134.95, 134.06, 133.26, 130.28, 130.04, 129.66, 129.06, 128.79, 128.76, 128.63, 127.71, 127.09, 126.06, 121.05.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C20H15ClN3Se: 412.0120; found: 412.0114.

4-Butyl-1-[2-(phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3d)

Yield: 0.091 g (85%); pale-yellow solid; mp 70-71 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.61 (s, 1 H), 7.49-7.47 (m, 2 H), 7.41-7.39 (m, 1 H), 7.34-7.22 (m, 6 H), 2.81 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2 H), 1.73 (quin, J = 7.2 Hz, 2 H), 1.43 (sext, J = 7.2 Hz, 2 H), 0.96 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 148.19, 136.86, 134.94, 132.68, 129.96, 129.75, 129.48, 128.73, 128.44, 127.31, 125.80, 121.88, 31.29, 25.16, 22.15, 13.71.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C18H20N3Se: 358.0822; found: 358.0816.

4-Octyl-1-[2-(phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3e)

Yield: 0.117 g (95%); yellowish solid; mp 66-68 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.61 (s, 1 H), 7.49-7.47 (m, 2 H), 7.40-7.38 (m, 1 H), 7.33-7.21 (m, 6 H), 2.79 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2 H), 1.74 (quin, J = 7.2 Hz, 2 H), 1.45-1.27 (m, 10 H), 0.87 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 148.19, 136.84, 134.92, 132.63, 129.94, 129.70, 129.45, 128.71, 128.41, 127.27, 125.76, 121.85, 31.67, 29.16, 29.13, 29.07, 29.04, 25.46, 22.47, 13.93.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C22H28N3Se: 414.1448; found: 414.1442.

1-[2-(Phenylselanyl)phenyl]-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1 H -1,2,3-tria­zole (3f)

Yield: 0.089 g (87%); pale-yellow solid; mp 90-92 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.79 (s, 1 H), 7.49-7.47 (m, 2 H), 7.42-7.39 (m, 1 H), 7.35-7.24 (m, 6 H), 5.82 (s, 1 H), 5.17-5.15 (m, 1 H), 2.17 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 148.53, 136.69, 134.94, 133.08, 132.95, 130.60, 130.01, 129.96, 129.53, 128.79, 127.50, 125.82, 120.86, 112.95, 20.55.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + Na]+ for C17H15N3SeNa: 364.0329; found: 364.0323.

2-{1-[2-(Phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}butan-2-ol (3g)

Yield: 0.101 g (90%); white solid; mp 131-133 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.79 (s, 1 H), 7.48-7.46 (m, 2 H), 7.43-7.40 (m, 1 H), 7.33-7.25 (m, 6 H), 2.89 (br s, 1 H), 1.98 (q, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 1.66 (s, 3 H), 0.92 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 154.40, 136.79, 134.88, 132.89, 130.05, 129.98, 129.55, 128.72, 128.49, 127.45, 125.96, 121.42, 71.22, 35.83, 27.88, 8.27.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C18H20N3OSe: 374.0772; found: 374.0766.

2-{1-[2-(Phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}ethanol (3h)

Yield: 0.094 g (91%); beige solid; mp 82-84 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.76 (s, 1 H), 7.48-7.45 (m, 2 H), 7.39 (dd, ¹ J = 7.6 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.33-7.22 (m, 6 H), 3.99 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2 H), 3.14 (s, 1 H), 3.04 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 136.63, 134.92, 132.76, 129.97, 129.88, 129.50, 128.67, 128.48, 127.37, 125.77, 122.99, 61.28, 28.68.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C16H16N3OSe: 346.0459; found: 346.0453.

1-{1-[2-(Phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}cyclohexanol (3i)

Yield: 0.116 g (97%); white solid; mp 154-156 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.79 (s, 1 H), 7.47-7.41 (m, 3 H), 7.35-7.25 (m, 6 H), 2.81 (s, 1 H), 2.10-2.04 (m, 2 H), 1.97-1.93 (m, 2 H), 1.83-1.74 (m, 2 H), 1.66-1.55 (m, 3 H), 1.45-1.38 (m, 1 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 155.32, 136.92, 134.84, 133.06, 129.99, 129.93, 129.58, 128.82, 128.50, 127.56, 126.04, 121.19, 69.56, 38.06, 25.32, 21.98.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + Na]+ for C20H21N3OSeNa: 422.0748; found: 422.0742.

13-{1-[2-(Phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}tridecan-1-ol (3j)

Yield: 0.106 g (75%); white solid; mp 80-82 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.61 (s, 1 H), 7.49-7.47 (m, 2 H), 7.41-7.39 (m, 1 H), 7.35-7.24 (m, 6 H), 3.62 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 2.79 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 2.24 (s, 1 H), 1.74 (quin, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 1.56 (quin, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 1.42-1.26 (m, 18 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 148.23, 136.84, 134.95, 132.69, 129.98, 129.78, 129.49, 128.71, 128.46, 127.32, 125.82, 121.94, 67.95, 62.67, 32.63, 29.45, 29.42, 29.38, 29.29, 29.21, 29.17, 29.07, 25.62, 25.45.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C27H38N3OSe: 500.2180; found: 500.2174.

Methyl 1-[2-(Phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (3k)

Yield: 0.094 g (87%); yellow solid; mp 81-82 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.41 (s, 1 H), 7.46-7.26 (m, 9 H), 3.98 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 160.76, 139.56, 136.11, 134.52, 133.48, 130.65, 129.73, 129.53, 128.85, 128.52, 128.25, 127.85, 126.13, 52.07.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C16H14N3O2Se: 360.0251; found: 360.0245.

2-{1-[2-(Phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}propan-2-amine (3l)

Yield: 0.092 g (86%); white solid; mp 82-83 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.84 (s, 1 H), 7.50-7.47 (m, 2 H), 7.42 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.35-7.26 (m, 6 H), 3.72 (s, 2 H), 2.33 (s, 6 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 144.87, 136.73, 134.92, 132.75, 130.09, 129.96, 129.52, 128.61, 128.48, 127.38, 125.86, 123.79, 54.13, 44.99.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + Na]+ for C17H18N4SeNa: 381.0594; found: 381.0588.

5-Iodo-4-phenyl-1-[2-(phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3m)

Yield: 0.125 g (83%); yellow oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.08-8.06 (m, 2 H), 7.52-7.47 (m, 4 H), 7.43-7.34 (m, 5 H), 7.31-7.25 (m, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 149.49, 136.77, 135.14, 133.48, 133.24, 131.23, 129.96, 129.51, 128.60, 128.57, 128.55, 128.49, 128.39, 127.61, 127.42.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C20H15IN3Se: 503.9476; found: 503.9470.

1,10-Bis{1-[2-(phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}decane (3n)

Yield: 0.204 g (92%); white solid; mp 143-144 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.58 (s, 2 H), 7.48-7.46 (m, 4 H), 7.41 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 7.34-7.22 (m, 12 H), 2.79 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 4 H), 1.74 (quin, J = 7.2 Hz, 4 H), 1.41-1.25 (m, 12 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 148.32, 137.33, 134.95, 133.10, 130.03, 129.83, 129.58, 129.08, 128.49, 127.51, 126.08, 122.01, 29.46, 29.31, 29.29, 29.18, 25.62.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C38H41N6Se2: 741.1723; found: 741.1717.

4-Phenyl-1-[2-( p -tolylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3o)

Yield: 0.105 g (98%); pale-yellow solid; mp 107-108 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.07 (s, 1 H), 7.90 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2 H), 7.44-7.22 (m, 9 H), 7.09 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2 H), 2.31 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 138.87, 136.29, 135.48, 132.25, 130.71, 130.40, 129.95, 128.76, 128.72, 128.16, 127.80, 127.11, 125.74, 125.74, 124.62, 120.89, 21.08.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C21H18N3Se: 392.0666; found: 392.0666.

1-{2-[(4-Methoxyphenyl)selanyl]phenyl}-4-phenyl-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3p)

Yield: 0.115 g (94%); yellow solid; mp 138-140 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.08 (s, 1 H), 7.92 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 7.47-7.41 (m, 5 H), 7.37-7.17 (m, 4 H), 6.85 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 3.78 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 160.38, 147.66, 137.77, 135.99, 131.61, 131.56, 130.42, 130.00, 128.81, 128.27, 126.89, 125.82, 125.76, 120.83, 118.09, 115.36, 55.22.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C21H18N3OSe: 408.0615; found: 408.0609.

1-{2-[(4-Chlorophenyl)selanyl]phenyl}-4-phenyl-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3q)

Yield: 0.108 g (88%); beige solid; mp 105-107 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.06 (s, 1 H), 7.89 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 7.47-7.29 (m, 9 H), 7.24 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 147.74, 136.82, 136.28, 134.95, 133.10, 130.20, 130.09, 129.77, 129.70, 128.82, 128.32, 127.84, 127.13, 125.88, 125.80, 120.78.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C20H15ClN3Se: 412.0120; found: 412.0114.

4-Phenyl-1-[2-( o -tolylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3r)

Yield: 0.105 g (90%); white solid; mp 150-152 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.03 (s, 1 H), 7.88 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2 H), 7.48-7.41 (m, 4 H), 7.36-7.32 (m, 2 H), 7.28-7.20 (m, 4 H), 7.08 (td, ¹ J = 7.6 Hz, ² J = 2.4 Hz, 1 H), 2.30 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 147.68, 141.59, 137.27, 136.17, 132.78, 130.60, 130.49, 130.15, 129.77, 129.67, 129.22, 128.83, 128.25, 127.49, 127.03, 126.28, 125.95, 120.89, 22.46.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C21H18N3Se: 392.0666; found: 392.0665.

1-{2-[(2-Methoxyphenyl)selanyl]phenyl}-4-phenyl-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3s)

Yield: 0.111 g (91%); yellow solid; mp 123-124 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.09 (s, 1 H), 7.84 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2 H), 7.51 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 7.41-7.37 (m, 3 H), 7.29 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 7.24-7.19 (m, 2 H), 6.82-6.78 (m, 2 H), 3.69 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 158.10, 147.29, 138.34, 135.16, 134.10, 130.52, 129.90, 129.59, 128.68, 128.26, 128.04, 127.57, 126.33, 125.81, 121.67, 121.20, 119.11, 111.17, 55.79.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C21H18N3OSe: 408.0615; found: 408.0609.

1-{2-[(2-Chlorophenyl)selanyl]phenyl}-4-phenyl-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3t)

Yield: 0.107 g (87%); yellow oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.10 (s, 1 H), 7.87-7.83 (m, 2 H), 7.55 (dd, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.50 (dd, ¹ J = 7.6 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.45-7.32 (m, 4 H), 7.26-7.23 (m, 2 H), 7.20 (dt, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.16 (dd, ¹ J = 7.6 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.06 (dd, ¹ J = 7.6 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 147.52, 142.59, 138.14, 136.15, 135.25, 134.23, 130.56, 130.30, 129.72, 129.18, 128.91, 128.73, 128.20, 127.52, 126.31, 125.77, 125.70, 120.90.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C20H15ClN3Se: 412.0120; found: 412.0116.

1-[2-(Mesitylselanyl)phenyl]-4-phenyl-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3u)

Yield: 0.094 g (75%); brown solid; mp 162-163 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.13 (s, 1 H), 7.95 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2 H), 7.47 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2 H), 7.43 (dd, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.37 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.27 (dd, ¹ J = 7.2 Hz, ² J = 1.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.18 (td, ¹ J = 7.6 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H), 6.98 (s, 2 H), 6.83 (dd, ¹ J = 8.0 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H), 2.37 (s, 6 H), 2.29 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 147.70, 143.76, 139.72, 136.04, 131.03, 130.31, 130.17, 129.40, 129.08, 128.86, 128.31, 126.17, 125.98, 125.91, 125.89, 120.69, 24.01, 21.02.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C23H22N3Se: 420.0979; found: 420.0973.

4-Phenyl-1-[4-(phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3v)

Yield: 0.073 g (65%); white solid; mp 180-182 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.15 (s, 1 H), 7.89 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2 H), 7.67 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2 H), 7.57-7.54 (m, 4 H), 7.45 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2 H), 7.38-7.32 (m, 4 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 148.48, 135.88, 133.90, 133.28, 132.90, 130.09, 129.82, 129.62, 128.92, 128.48, 128.11, 125.84, 121.13, 117.34.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C20H16N3Se: 378.0509; found: 378.0503.

4-Phenyl-1-[2-(phenylthio)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (3w)

Yield: 0.098 g (99%); white solid; mp 128-130 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.09 (s, 1 H), 7.88-7.85 (m, 2 H), 7.53-7.51 (m, 1 H), 7.42 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 2 H), 7.37-7.24 (m, 9 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 147.30, 136.34, 132.89, 132.84, 132.19, 132.02, 130.23, 130.11, 129.40, 128.72, 128.12, 128.09, 127.68, 126.84, 125.73, 121.58.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C20H16N3S: 330.1065; found: 330.1059.

1,2-Bis[2-(4-phenyl-1 H -1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)phenyl]diselenide (3x)

Yield: 0.108 g (60%); brown solid; mp 136-138 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.33 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2 H), 7.93 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2 H), 7.86-7.83 (m, 4 H), 7.63-7.59 (m, 2 H), 7.53-7.46 (m, 6 H), 7.39-7.35 (m, 2 H), 7.26 (s, 2 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 130.22, 130.17, 129.05, 128.87, 127.92, 127.55, 127.43, 127.40, 126.57, 125.88, 125.42, 115.97.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M - C14H10N3Se]+ for C14H10N3Se: 300.0040; found: 300.0035.

1,2-Bis[2-(4-phenyl-1 H -1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)phenyl]ditelluride (3y)

Yield: 0.132 g (63%); brown solid; mp 131-133 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 7.36-7.20 (m, 16 H), 7.12-7.08 (m, 4 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 141.42, 134.02, 129.08, 129.00, 128.45, 127.93, 127.14, 125.40, 125.04, 121.20, 117.32, 116.22.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M - C14H10N3Te]+ for C14H10N3Te: 349.9937; found: 349.9931.

5-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-4-phenyl-1-[2-(phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1 H -1,2,3-triazole (4)

To a soln of 5-iodo-4-phenyl-1-[2-(phenylselanyl)phenyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazole (3m) (0.126 g, 0.25 mmol) in DMF (2.5 mL) was added Pd(OAc)2 (0.003 g, 5 mol%) and (4-methoxyphenyl)boronic acid (0.053 g, 0.35 mmol) under Ar. The resulting soln was stirred for 30 min at r.t., after which a soln of K3PO4 (1.2 mmol, 0.254 g) in H2O (0.6 mL) was added. The mixture was then heated at reflux temperature for 12 h, cooled to r.t., diluted with CH2Cl2 (20 mL) and washed with brine (2 × 20 mL). The organic phase was separated, dried over MgSO4, and concentrated under vacuum. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (eluent: hexane-EtOAc, 80:20).

Yield: 0.094 g (78%); yellowish solid; mp 117-119 ˚C.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.44 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.71 (dd, ¹ J = 7.6 Hz, ² J = 1.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.44-7.39 (m, 1 H), 7.28-7.05 (m, 15 H), 5.03 (s, 3 H).

¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 170.25, 139.17, 139.06, 138.65, 137.93, 130.97, 130.68, 129.83, 129.46, 128.87, 128.74, 126.85, 126.75, 124.98, 120.38, 118.62, 74.94.

HRMS: m/z calcd [M + H]+ for C27H22N3OSe: 484.0928; found: 484.0922.

Acknowledgment

We are grateful to CAPES, CNPq (INCT Catálise and INCT NANOBIOSIMES), FAPESC and FAPERGS (ARD 10/0130-3) for financial support.

Scheme 1 Syntheses of azido arylselenides and diselenides

Scheme 2 Synthesis of arylseleno-1,2,3-triazoles 3

Scheme 3 Suzuki cross-coupling of triazole 3m