Synthesis of 2-acyl-benzo[1,3-d]selenazoles via domino oxidative cyclization of methyl ketones with bis(2-aminophenyl) diselenide

Abstract

A general, practical and simple one-pot synthesis of 2-acyl-benzo[1,3-d]selenazoles was developed by reacting a wide range of 2-arylethane-1,2-diones, generated in situ from commercially available aryl methyl ketones, with bis(2-aminophenyl) diselenide, promoted by Na₂S₂O₅ in DMSO at 100 °C. Comparatively, the reactions were conducted under conventional heating and microwave irradiation. The use of focused microwave irradiation drastically decreased the reaction time from 48 to 2 h with a gain in the reaction yield for most cases. Still, 2-phenylacyl-benzo[1,3-d]selenazole was elected to react with sodium borohydride and butylmagnesium bromide, giving the respective secondary and tertiary alcohols under mild reaction conditions.