Catalytic functionalization reveals selective pathways in benzyl thioethers and selenoethers, suggesting new chemistry.
Sulfur-directed, selective ortho-functionalization of benzyl thioethers with maleimides has been achieved under a ruthenium-catalyzed system; herein, temperature and additive play a crucial role in determining product selectivity. The ortho-alkenylated maleimide proved thermally sensitive in the presence of Cu(OAc)₂, whereas the presence of Zn(OAc)₂ diverted the reaction pathway towards an exclusive ortho-alkylation. However, benzyl phenyl selenoethers afford selenated maleimide derivatives via C─Se bond cleavage under established reaction protocols.
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Negi et al. (2026) studied this question.
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