Visible-Light-Induced Three-Component Selenofunctionalization of Alkenes: An Aerobic Selenol Oxidation Approach

Abstract

A photocatalyst-free visible-light-induced selenofunctionalization of alkenes has been developed using a variety of nucleophiles. The homolytic scission of diselenides under visible-light conditions coupled with the aerobic selenol oxidation to diselenides allowed the successful implementation of three-component selenofunctionalization under visible-light irradiation in open-air conditions. The mechanistic studies revealed the critical role of oxygen content in a reaction medium, where the electron transfer process from the carbon-based radicals to either molecular oxygen or selenyl radicals was controlled.