N-Selenocyanato-Dibenzenesulfonimide: A New Electrophilic Selenocyanation Reagent

A new electrophilic selenocyanation reagent N-seleno-cyanato-dibenzenesulfonimide was readily prepared in two steps from commercially available dibenzenesulfonimide for the first time. A variety of electrophilic selenocyanato reactions of nucleophiles have been achieved using it as selenocyanato source under mild and simple conditions. Numerous SeCN-containing compounds were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. Meanwhile, a Lewis acid mediated tandem selenocyanation/cyclization reaction of alkenes with phenols, which provided simple methods for the formation of various SeCN-containing chromanes and dihydrobenzofurans in moderate to good yields, has also been developed.

Automated summary

A new electrophilic selenocyanation reagent was prepared from commercially available dibenzenesulfonimide for the first time, leading to various SeCN-containing compounds. The reagent was utilized in electrophilic selenocyanato reactions of nucleophiles as well as in a tandem selenocyanation/cyclization reaction of alkenes with phenols, providing simple methods for the formation of different SeCN-containing products.