Exo-trig selenocyclization of secondary allylic carboxamides using Woollins’ reagent: en route to 2,5-disubstituted selenazolines

Abstract

We report microwave-assisted selenation and exo-trig cyclization of secondary allylic carboxamides using Woollins’ reagent, a serendipitous finding observed during an attempt to synthesize N-allylbenzoselenoamide compounds. This resulted in the first reported synthesis of 2-aryl-5-methyl selenazolines. Twenty-one diversified selenazolines and three late-stage-functionalized drug molecules were synthesized in 42–93% and 25–52% yield, respectively, and these were evaluated further for their anti-proliferative activity.