Trifluoromethylselenolation of arenes with [Me4N][SeCF3] in the presence of an oxidant through Pd-catalyzed C(sp2)–H activation under the assistance of a directing group is established for the first time. The reaction tolerates different directing groups and a variety of functional groups, enabling selective installation of a SeCF3 moiety onto the ortho positions of arenes. Mechanistic studies revealed that the CF3SeSeCF3 intermediate in situ generated from oxidation of [Me4N][SeCF3] might be the real SeCF3 reagent in the reaction.
![Graphical abstract: Palladium-catalyzed C–H trifluoromethylselenolation of arenes with [Me4N][SeCF3] and an oxidant](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/D2CC02897B.jpg)