The invention relates to a synthetic method of 3-seleno indoles. An isonitrile compound shown as a formula (I), elemental selenium shown as a formula (II), an indole compound shown as a formula (III)and a secondary amine shown as a formula (IV) are reacted at 25-70 DEG C under functions of an alkali in an air atmosphere by adopting an organic solvent as a reaction medium to obtain one of the 3-seleno indoles shown as a formula (V). The reaction route is shown in the specification, wherein R1 is selected from nitro, cyano, acetyl, acylamino, alkyl, alkoxy, an ester group, trifluoromethyl or halogen, R2 is selected from hydrogen, phenyl, substituted phenyl or alkyl, and R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, phenyl, alkyl, cyano, nitro, an ester group, alkoxy or halogen. The secondary amine shown as the formula (IV) is selected from noncyclic aliphatic secondary amines, cyclic aliphatic secondary amines or aromatic secondary amines. Reaction conditions of the method aremild and the method is environmentally-friendly.