Silver-mediated activation of terminal alkynes: A strategy to construct bis-ethynynl selenides and tellurides

Readily available selenium powder was chosen as an ideal selenium source to construct a series of bis(arylethynyl) selenium compounds in moderate to excellent yields through the activation of terminal alkyne C–H bond mediated by AgF. The reaction has the advantages of easy operation, good substrate scope and high atom economy. In addition, tellurium powder was also successfully applied to this system for the construction of bis(arylethynyl) tellurides under identical conditions.