Synthesis of Benzoisoselenazolone Derivatives by Nickel-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Direct Selenation of C(sp²)-H Bonds with Elemental Selenium in Air

Nickel-catalyzed direct selenation of benzamides bearing an 8-quinolyl auxiliary with elemental selenium provides benzoisoselenazolones in good yield via carbon-selenium and nitrogen-selenium bond formation under aerobic conditions. In addition to aryl C-H bonds, the method can also be applied to alkenyl C-H bonds, constructing an isoselenazolone skeleton. Simple mechanistic analysis shows that the reaction proceeds through a rate-determining C-H bond cleavage. The obtained benzoisoselenazolones are transformed into various organoselenium compounds and utilized as the catalyst for bromolactonization of alkenoic acids.