Tandem addition–cyclization of o-ethynylphenyllithiums and isoselenocyanates: a convenient preparation of functionalized benzo[c]selenophenes

The o-bromoethynylbenzenes were lithiated with tert-BuLi in Et2O followed by treatment with isoselenocyanate, and then EtOH was added as a proton source, producing the desired (Z)-3-methylidenebenzo[c]selenophenes as the sole 5-exo-dig mode cyclization products in one-pot with yields ranging from 54–87%. The iodocyclization of the o-ethynylphenyllithium with isoselenocyanate stereoselectively gave the (E)-1′-iodo-3-methylidenebenzo[c]selenophene, which was converted into the more functionalized benzo[c]selenophenes via the Suzuki- and Sonogashira-coupling reactions.