A series of <i>N</i>-aryl-<i>N</i>-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl) benzamides and cinnamides has been prepared. The reaction of the benzamides with Woollins’ reagent, a highly efficient chemoselective selenation/reduction reagent, gave the corresponding <i>N</i>-aryl-<i>N</i>-(arylenethyl) benzoselenoamides in good yields. Five representative single crystal X-ray structures are discussed.