Facile, regioselective oxidative selenocyanation of N-aryl enaminones under transition-metal-free conditions

A direct and straightforward approach for the regioselective selenocyanation of N-aryl enaminones through sp2 C–H functionalization has been realized at room temperature. In this study, KSeCN as the selenocyanate reagent and K2S2O8 as the oxidizing agent are employed under transition-metal-free conditions. The present methodology was also applied for the synthesis of selenocyanated chromones, indoles and anilines in good to excellent yields.