Synthesis of Selenooxazoles through Electrochemical Oxidative Selenocyclization of N-Propargylamides

An electrocatalytic approach for the bromide-mediated selenocyclization of N-propargylamides with diselenides is described, providing a synthetic route for the synthesis of various seleno-oxazoles in 41-73% yields. The success of gram-scale experiments demonstrate the potential value of this protocol in synthetic chemistry. Mechanistic investigations suggest that this selenocyclization protocol proceed through two possible pathways, including selenium cation and radical processes.