Oxidation of benzylic hydrocarbons with benzeneseleninic anhydride and related reactions

Abstract

The use of benzeneseleninic anhydride as a new side-chain oxidant for a variety of aromatic and heteroaromatic hydrocarbons has been investigated. The oxidation normally proceeds well for simple substrates, neat or in chlorobenzene solution at 100–130 °C. In examples where the aromatic rings are susceptible towards electrophilic attack selenated compounds are usually formed as the major by-products.