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

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.