Visible light-induced selenylative spirocyclization of biaryl ynones toward the formation of selenated spiro[5.5]trienones

A visible-light induced dearomative cascade cyclization of biaryl ynones with diselenides under photocatalyst and external additive-free conditions has been explored, giving a series of selenated spiro[5.5]trienones in moderate to good yields. The Se-Se bond in diselenides could be cleaved to generate arylselenyl radicals under visible light irradiation in the absence of a photocatalyst. This protocol provides a facile and green method for the synthesis of spiro[5.5]trienones.

Automated summary

This study explores a visible-light induced dearomative cascade cyclization of biaryl ynones with diselenides under photocatalyst and external additive-free conditions, yielding a series of selenated spiro[5.5]trienones in moderate to good yields. It is found that the Se-Se bond in diselenides can be cleaved to generate arylselenyl radicals under visible light irradiation without the need for a photocatalyst. The developed protocol provides a facile and green method for the synthesis of spiro[5.5]trienones.