Electrocatalytic Cascade Selenylation/Cyclization/Deamination of 2-Hydroxyaryl Enaminones: Synthesis of 3-Selenylated Chromones under Mild Conditions.

Herein, we disclosed a highly efficient pathway toward 3-selenylated chromone derivatives via electrocatalytic cascade selenylation/cyclization/deamination of 2-hydroxyaryl enaminones with diselenides. This method showed mild conditions, easy operation, wide substrate scope, and good functional group tolerance. Furthermore, this electrosynthesis strategy was amendable to scale-up the reaction. Additionally, the preliminary experiments revealed that this reaction probably proceeded via a cation pathway instead of a radical pathway.