(1-Selenocyanatoethyl)benzene: A Selenocyanation Reagent for Site-Selective Selenocyanation of Inert Alkyl C(sp3)-H Bonds

A new, simple, yet easily accessible, (1-selenocyanatoethyl)-benzene has been designed and applied as a SeCN group transfer reagent for selenocyanation of aliphatic C(sp(3))-H bonds for the first time. This protocol is featured with mild reaction conditions and wide substrate scope. Control experiments reveal that a radical-group transfer mechanism might be involved.

Automated summary

A new, simple, and easily accessible (1-selenocyanatoethyl)-benzene has been developed and used as a SeCN group transfer reagent for selenocyanation of aliphatic C(sp(3))-H bonds for the first time. The protocol features mild reaction conditions and a wide substrate scope, with control experiments suggesting a radical-group transfer mechanism may be involved.