Aerobic radical-cascade cycloaddition of isocyanides, selenium and imidamides: facile access to 1,2,4-selenadiazoles under metal-free conditions

A novel and facile metal-free method for the green synthesis of 1,2,4-selenadiazol-5-amine derivatives through the aerobic radical-cascade multi-component reactions of isocyanides, selenium powder and imidamides is reported herein. O-2 in the air was employed as the green oxidant to achieve the cycloaddition with the generation of H2O as the sole by-product. It also features good functional group compatibility and broad substrate scope. In addition, this method was successfully applied to the functionalization of biologically active molecules.