Electrochemical Oxidative Selenolactonization of Alkenoic Acids with Diselenides: Synthesis of Selenated γ-Lactones

The novel electrochemical oxidative radical selenylation and cyclization sequences of alkenoic acid derivatives are described. This transformation is an environmentally friendly approach using stable diselenides as selenium radical precursors without external oxidizing reagents. The various selenated gamma-lactone derivatives could be synthesized in moderate to high yields.

Automated summary

The study introduces a novel approach for synthesizing selenated gamma-lactone derivatives through electrochemical oxidative radical selenylation and cyclization, using stable diselenides as selenium radical precursors. This environmentally friendly method achieves moderate to high yields without the need for external oxidizing reagents.