Synthesis of 5H‐Selenopheno[3,2‐c]isochromen‐5‐ones Promoted by Dialkyl Diselenides and Oxone®

We describe here for the first time the synthesis of isochromenones fused to selenophenes. 5H‐Selenopheno[3,2‐c]isochromen‐5‐ones were obtained through a double intramolecular cyclization of methyl 2‐(organyl‐1,3‐diynyl)benzoate promoted by electrophilic species of selenium generated in situ by the reaction of dialkyl diselenides with Oxone®, using ethanol as solvent. The reactions were conducted satisfactorily under mild conditions, using a range of 1,3‐diynes and dialkyl diselenides as substrates. A total of sixteen unprecedent 5H‐selenopheno[3,2‐c]isochromen‐5‐ones were selectively obtained in moderate to good yields (40–86%) under reflux in an open flask and in short reaction times (1.0–2.5 h). magnified image