Construction of C(sp2)—S and C(sp2)—Se Bonds via a Silver(I)‐Mediated Coupling Reaction of Heterocyclic Ketene Aminals with Diaryl Dichalcogenides.

A novel silver(I)-mediated direct coupling reaction using heterocyclic ketene aminals (HKAs) and diaryl dichalcogenides for the construction of C(sp2)–S and C(sp2)–Se bonds was reported. The transformation involves a variety of functionalized substrates, leading to α-arylthio and α-phenylselanyl HKAs in a mild, facile and efficient way with high regioselectivity and excellent yields. The broad scope of the starting materials enhanced the chemo-diversity of the target materials, thus affording a number of potential applications in the synthesis of heterocycles and its relevant medicinal chemistry.