Photoredox-Catalyzed Intermolecular Radical Arylthiocyanation/Arylselenocyanation of Alkenes: Access to Aryl-Substituted Alkylthiocyanates/Alkylselenocyanates

An efficient and highly selective approach for intermolecular arylthiocyanation/arylselenocyanation of alkenes has been reported under mild conditions. Using diazonium salts as the arylating agent and ammonium thiocyanate as the thiocyanate source, chemoselective difunctionalization of alkenes has been done under irradiation of visible light. Both styrenes and acrylates work well to deliver various aryl-substituted alkylthiocyanates in good to excellent yields. In addition, hitherto unknown β-aryl alkylselenocyanates were also synthesized using the developed protocol with potassium selenocyanate.