Green Synthetic Approaches For Organo Chalcogens [Te & Se]

Abstract: Organochalcogen compounds, particularly those containing selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te), exhibit unique redox, electronic, and biological properties, making them highly relevant in medicinal chemistry, catalysis, and advanced materials. Traditional synthesis of these frameworks often involves hazardous solvents, stoichiometric reagents, and energy-intensive conditions that conflict with sustainable practices. This work explores green synthetic methodologies for organochalcogen compounds with a focus on atom economy, waste minimization, and environmentally benign conditions.

We emphasize microwave-assisted reactions, solvent-free mechanochemistry, and ultrasonic techniques as effective pathways to heterocycles, chalcogen-bridged scaffolds, and seleno- and telluroethers. Furthermore, safer and recyclable substitutes for conventional organic solvents are offered by the use of aqueous media, ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents. These techniques greatly lessen environmental impact without sacrificing product functionality, according to a comparative analysis of yields, E-factor, and energy profiles. Preliminary biological and optoelectronic tests verified a few molecules, demonstrating performance on par with or better than that of traditionally produced equivalents. All things considered, this study highlights how green synthetic methods can successfully combine sustainability and creativity in organochalcogen chemistry, opening up new possibilities for environmentally friendly research and industrial uses.

Keywords: Green chemistry, Organochalcogen, Microwave-assisted reactions.