We describe herein the use of arylselanylpyrazole–copper complexes as versatile catalysts for CSe and CS coupling reactions. The performance of these complexes for CSe reactions was investigated in chalcogenoacetylene synthesis. The reactions were carried out under mild and aerobic conditions and afforded selanylalkynes bearing a variety of electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups. The performance of these catalysts for CS coupling was investigated through the reaction of aryl halides with thiols and products were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. A plausible mechanism for selenoacetylene synthesis is also suggested, and the 77Se NMR results show that these arylselanylpyrazole ligands act as hemilabile ligands. High-resolution mass spectrometry was used to investigate the intermediates and also to corroborate the proposed catalytic cycle.
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