A Mild and Practical Preparation of Trifluoromethaneselenenyl Chloride

Trifluoromethaneselenenyl chloride is prepared by a two-step procedure with an 85% overall yield. Benzyl trifluoromethyl selenide is formed from dibenzyl diselenide and trifluoromethyl iodide in the presence of sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate. The benzyl-selenium bond is then cleaved with sulfuryl chloride to give the corresponding selenenyl chloride.