Metal-free synthesis of diselenides and ditellurides by using TMSCN

• C-Se bonds forming reaction. • Se-Se bonds forming reaction. • Metal-Free synthesis of diselenides and ditellurides. A metal-free protocol is disclosed for C-Se and Se-Se bonds forming reactions between boronic acids and elemental selenium to synthesize diselenides by using TMSCN as an organic catalyst. Meanwhile, a series of ditellurides were obtained from boronic acids and elemental tellurium with TMSCN. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction involved a radical way.