Synthesis of Chalcogenylchromenes through Cyclization of Propargylic Aryl Ethers

We describe here for the first time the synthesis of 2-(chalcogenyl)-3 H -benzo[ f ]chromenes and the new 3-(phenylselanyl)-2 H -chromenes by the radical or electrophilic cyclization of propargylic aryl ethers in the presence of diorganyl diselenides or ditellurides using Oxone as a green oxidant and acetonitrile as solvent in a sealed tube at 100 °C. In this study, thirty-one chalcogenylchromenes with a broad substrate scope were prepared in moderate to excellent yields (50–98%), including compounds derived from natural products.