N-Iodosuccinimide Catalyzed Oxidative Selenocyanation and Thiocyanation of Electron Rich Arenes

Selenocyanation and thiocyanation of electron rich arenes have been achieved using N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) as a catalyst and aq. tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant at room temperature. This method works efficiently for indoles, anilines, phenols, and other electron-rich arene systems to furnish the products in good to excellent yields and exhibits a good regioselectivity. The products synthesized are further used to prepare their corresponding trifluoromethyl derivatives using reported reactions.