Copper-catalyzed multicomponent polymerization of elemental selenium for regioselective synthesis of poly(5-diselenide-triazole)s†

Herein, a unique multicomponent polymerization of elemental selenium, alkynes and azides was developed to prepare poly(5-diselenide-triazole)s with high regioselectivities and atom economy under mild conditions. Such selenium-containing triazoly polymers featured well-defined structures, high molecular weights (M_n up to 71 300 g mol⁻¹) and yields (up to 90%), good solubility, high stability, and excellent redox-degradation properties.