Lewis acid-promoted formation of benzoselenazole derivatives using SeO2 as a selenium source.

A new one-pot method of using both ortho-inactivated anilines and acetophenones (or methylquinolines) which possess an active H in the α-position of ketones (or benzyl positions) as starting materials to make benzoselenazole derivatives has been developed, which uses SeO2 as a selenium agent. This method first establishes SeO2 as a source of selenium to form benzoselenazole derivatives, which enriches the synthesis method of benzoselenazole. This method has several advantages, including good yields, simple operation, and availability of raw materials. Furthermore, the reaction could be easily scaled and its practical value in organic synthesis is displayed.