Selectfluor-mediated tandem cyclization of enaminones with diselenides toward the synthesis of 3-selenylated chromones

A practical and metal-free approach for the regioselective selenation of chromones employing Selectfluor reagent under mild conditions is described. The developed method is suitable for a wide substrate scope and affords 3-selenylated chromones in good to excellent yield with high selectivity. An ionic mechanism is proposed for this transformation. Furthermore, the application of potassium thiocyanate with enaminones for the synthesis of thiocyano chromones in this transformation is also successful. A practical and efficient synthetic method has been developed for the construction of 3-selenylated chromones through the tandem cyclization of enaminones with diselenides in the presence of Selectfluor.

Automated summary

A practical and metal-free approach for the regioselective selenation of chromones has been developed using Selectfluor reagent under mild conditions. This method demonstrates a wide substrate scope and provides 3-selenylated chromones in good to excellent yield with high selectivity. An ionic mechanism is proposed for this transformation. The application of potassium thiocyanate with enaminones in this reaction also yields thiocyano chromones.