Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for coupling two arenes with selenium dioxide to give a selenobiaryl ether. The method of the present invention includes: adding a first arene to the reaction mixture, adding a second arene to the reaction mixture, adding selenium dioxide to the reaction mixture, adding an acid having a pKa in the range from 0 to 5 to the reaction mixture, and adjusting the reaction temperature of the reaction mixture such that the first arene and the second arene are converted to a selenobiaryl ether. The present invention also relates to novel selenobiaryl ethers.

Abstract: A process for preparing unsymmetric biphenols, comprising: a) adding a first substituted phenol to the reaction mixture; b) adding a second substituted phenol having different substitution than the first phenol to the reaction mixture; c) adding selenium dioxide to the reaction mixture; d) adding a solvent; and e) heating the reaction mixture such that the first substituted phenol and the second phenol having different substitution are converted to an unsymmetric biphenol.

Abstract: Method for coupling a phenol and an arene using selenium dioxide, and also novel phenol-arene derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for producing asymmetrical biphenols using selenium dioxide.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 2,2?-biphenol, proceeds by a) adding a first phenol to a reaction mixture, b) adding a second phenol to the reaction mixture, c) adding selenium dioxide to the reaction mixture, d) adding an acid having a pKa in the range from 0.0 to 5.0 to the reaction mixture, and e) heating the reaction mixture such that the first phenol and the second phenol are converted to said 2,2?-biphenol.

Abstract: Method for coupling a phenol and an arene using selenium dioxide, and also novel phenol-arene derivatives.

Abstract: Method for coupling two arenes with selenium dioxide to give a selenobiaryl ether, and also novel selenobiaryl ethers.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process for preparing 2,2?-biaryls, especially of 2,2?-biphenols in which a reaction mixture comprising a first aryl, a second aryl and selenium dioxide is heated, the first aryl being reacted with the second aryl to give the corresponding 2,2?-biaryl, wherein the reaction mixture additionally comprises molybdenum(V) chloride.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 2,2?-biphenol, proceeds by a) adding a first phenol to a reaction mixture, b) adding a second phenol to the reaction mixture, c) adding selenium dioxide to the reaction mixture, d) adding an acid having a pKa in the range from 0.0 to 5.0 to the reaction mixture, and e) heating the reaction mixture such that the first phenol and the second phenol are converted to said 2,2?-biphenol.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 2,2?-selenobiaryl ether or a 4,4?-selenobiaryl ether, proceeds by a) adding a first phenol to the reaction mixture, b) adding a second phenol to the reaction mixture, c) adding selenium dioxide to the reaction mixture, d) adding a base having a pKb in the range from 8 to 11 to the reaction mixture, and e) adjusting the reaction temperature of the reaction mixture such that the first phenol and the second phenol are converted to said 2,2?-selenobiaryl ether or said 4,4?-selenobiaryl ether.

Abstract: 2,2?-biphenol is prepared in a process using selenium dioxide and a halogenated solvent.