Decarboxylative ring-opening of 2-oxazolidinones: a facile and modular synthesis of beta-chalcogen amines

We report herein the synthesis of primary and secondary beta-chalcogen amines through the regioselective ring-opening reaction of non-activated 2-oxazolidinones promoted by in situ generated chalcogenolate anions. The developed one-step protocol enabled the preparation of beta-selenoamines, beta-telluroamines and beta-thioamines with appreciable structural diversity and in yields of up to 95%.