Electrochemical selenylative ipso-annulation of N-benzylacrylamides to construct seleno-azaspiro[4.5]decadienones

Abstract

Herein, we present the electrochemical synthesis of selenylated azaspiro[4.5]decadienones through domino selenylation/ipso-annulation of N-benzylacrylamides with diselenides. The method showed a wide substrate scope under mild and external oxidant-free reaction conditions, involving the construction of C–Se and C–C bonds. Gram-scale synthesis and further functional group conversion of the product are also demonstrated.