The Sunlight-Promoted Aerobic Selective Cyclization Of Olefinic Amides And Diselenides

The novel sunlight-promoted aerobic synthesis of selenated iminoisobenzofurans or isoindolinones via the regioselective and chemoselective O-cyclization or N-cyclization of olefinic amides and diselenides has been developed. Interestingly, the chemoselectivity is strongly dependent on the use of TFA as the catalyst or Na2CO3 as the base. This high efficiency and sustainable protocol performed well under ambient air and metal-free conditions. Moreover, series of selenated iminoisobenzofuran and isoindolinone products were obtained in moderate to good yields, featuring good functional group tolerance and broad scope.