Selenocyanation of Aryl and Styryl Methyl Ketones in the Presence of Selenium Dioxide and Malononitrile: An Approach for the Synthesis of α-Carbonyl Selenocyanates

A convenient method has been developed for the synthesis of alpha-carbonyl selenocyanates from aryl methyl ketones/styryl methyl ketones using selenium dioxide as the selenating agent under simple reaction conditions. This reaction has notable advantages over the traditional methods in terms of accessibility and affordability of the starting materials. The method features the interaction of aryl methyl ketones/styryl methyl ketones with selenium dioxide and malononitrile to afford a series of alpha-carbonyl selenocyanates in moderate to good yields.

Automated summary

A convenient method using selenium dioxide as the selenating agent has been developed for the synthesis of alpha-carbonyl selenocyanates from aryl methyl ketones/styryl methyl ketones under simple reaction conditions. This method offers notable advantages in terms of accessibility and affordability of the starting materials when compared to traditional methods. The interaction of aryl methyl ketones/styryl methyl ketones with selenium dioxide and malononitrile results in the formation of a series of alpha-carbonyl selenocyanates in moderate to good yields.