A visible-light-induced radical-cascade selenocyanation/cyclization
of N-alkyl-N-methacryloyl benzamides,
2-aryl-N-acryloyl indoles, and N-methacryloyl-2-phenylbenzimidazoles with potassium isoselenocyanate
(KSeCN) was developed. The reactions were carried out with inexpensive
KSeCN as a selenocyanation reagent, potassium persulfate as an oxidant,
2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate as a bifunctional catalyst
for phase-transfer catalysis, and photocatalysis. A library of selenocyanate-containing
isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones,
indolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-6(5H)-ones,
and benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones were achieved in moderate to excellent yields at room temperature
under visible-light and ambient conditions. Importantly, the present
protocol features mild reaction conditions, large-scale synthesis,
simple manipulation, product derivatization, good functional group,
and heterocycle tolerance.