A semi‐micro synthesis of selenophene

The best yields were obtained when the sodium hydrogen selenide was generated from elemental selenium and 2 molar equiv of sodium borohydride in the minimum amount of water-dimethylformamide (1:8), or 95% ethanol - DMF (1:4). The selenide solution can be added to the bis(trimethylsilyl) - 1,3-butadiyne, or the diyne can be dissolved in DMF and added to the selenide solution with little difference in yield (60 to 80%). A slightly lower yield is obtained if the selenide is generated in the presence of the diyne, but the one-pot procedure is more convenient.