The sunlight-promoted aerobic selective cyclization of olefinic amides and diselenides

Abstract

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.