Citation: Zhi-Chao Qi, Qian-Min Zuo, Wenjin Yan, Shang-Dong Yang. Recent advances in the chiral organoselenium catalyzed enantioselective functionalization of alkenes and arenes[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(10): 112695. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112695 shu

Recent advances in the chiral organoselenium catalyzed enantioselective functionalization of alkenes and arenes

Zhi-Chao Qi ^{a, b} ,
Qian-Min Zuo ^a ,
Wenjin Yan ^{b, *,} ,
Shang-Dong Yang ^{a, *,}

a.
State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
b.
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China

yanwj@lzu.edu.cn

yangshd@lzu.edu.cn

Received Date: 15 October 2025
Revised Date: 18 March 2026
Accepted Date: 29 March 2026
Available Online: 30 March 2026

Figures(31)

Over the past few decades, various forms of selenium, including organic and inorganic types, have been extensively researched for their impact on synthetic chemistry. Organic selenium has evolved from being a niche and pungent chemical compound to being recognized as an environmentally sustainable tool that facilitates greener organic synthesis. Chemists have made substantial advancements in selenium chemistry, advancing from stoichiometric to catalytic processes and from racemic to asymmetric transformations. To address the limitations in asymmetric reactions, a group of scientists led by Denmark, Breder, Yeung, Chen, Zhao and Shirakawa introduced a range of chiral selenium catalysts. These catalysts, each with distinct structures, exhibit varying levels of reaction activity and catalyze different types of reactions. Despite these differences, the majority of reactions focus on olefin substrates and arenes. The selenium-mediated transformations demonstrate high chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity. This review summarizes recent advances in selenium-catalyzed enantioselective reactions, categorizing them by selenium properties, reaction types, and proposed mechanisms.
- Chiral organoselenium catalyst,
- Electrophilic selenium catalysis,
- Lewis base selenium catalysis,
- Asymmetric transformation,
- Diverse chiral compounds
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