One pot preparation of α-dithioacetal/α-diselenoacetal amides via a dual-C–S/C–Se bond formation and C–C bond cleavage cascade of 3-oxo-butanamides

A new and practical approach to α-dithioacetal/α-diselenoacetal amides has been developed, combining sequential functionalization of amides and a C–C bond cleavage strategy. In this reaction, various α-dithioacetal/α-diselenoacetal amides from 3-oxo-butanamides were prepared in one step with good regioselectivity and functional group tolerance.