Catalyst and additive-free regioselective oxidative C-H thio/selenocyanation of arenes and heteroarenes with elemental sulfur/selenium and TMSCN

A regioselective oxidative C-H thio/selenocyanation of arenes and heteroarenes with TMSCN and elemental sulfur/selenium was demonstrated under catalyst-free and additive-free conditions. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was employed as the mild oxidant as well as the solvent. The reaction is operationally simple and scalable with a broad substrate scope.