Rhodium-catalyzed highly regio- and stereoselective hydroselenation of internal alkynes bearing an electron-withdrawinggroup took place to give (E)-vinyl selenides in good yields. The excellent syn stereoselectivity of this rhodium-catalyzed hydroselenation is of great importance in terms of complementing the previously reported hydroselenation of alkynes.
Intermolecular CO-retained carbothiolation of alkynes using thioesters took place to afford beta-SR substituted enone derivatives; the choice of catalyst (Pd(dba)(2)-dppe) and the introduction of a CF(3) group into the thioesters are the key to achieving the transformation.