Synthesis of cyanamides from isoselenocyanates promoted by recyclable ionic liquid-supported (diacetoxyiodo)benzene

One-pot synthesis of cyanamides from isoselenocyanates through deselenisation promoted by ionic liquid-supported hypervalent iodine(III) reagent 1-(4-diacetoxyiodobenzyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([dibmim](+)[BF4](-)) was developed. This approach provided a simple, mild and environmentally benign way to construct cyanamides in good yields. Moreover, powder Se and [dibmim](+)[BF4](-) could be easily recycled. It was the first example of [dibmim](+)[BF4](-) to be used as a deselenising agent.