Metal- and photocatalyst-free visible-light-promoted regioselective selenylation of coumarin derivatives via oxidation-induced C-H functionalization

A visible-light-promoted approach for the regioselective selenylation of 4-amino substituted coumarins has been developed under metal- and photocatalyst-free conditions at room temperature. Notably, dual selenylation products were also obtained selectively when N-substituted 4-(phenylamino)-2H-chromen-2-ones were employed. Preliminary mechanism studies suggest that oxidation-induced C-H functionalization may be involved in this transformation. The present method provides a highly attractive and alternative approach to C-Se bond formation.