Synthesis of 5‐Selenosubstituted Spirocyclopenta[b]pyridine‐2,5‐dien‐4‐ones and Benzo[h]quinolines via Radical Cyclization of Arylethynylpyridines

A practical strategy for obtaining novel 5-seleno-substituted spirocyclopenta[b]pyridines-2,5-dien-4-ones and benzo[h]quinolines via radical cyclization is reported. The synthetic protocol explores the reaction between arylethynylpyridines and diorganyl diselenides in acetonitrile as solvent and Oxone® as oxidant at 82 °C. This easy-to-handle, eco-friendly metal-free approach was carried out under an open atmosphere, affording functionalized organoselenium compounds in good to excellent yields. Control experiments and scale-up test were performed to demonstrate the efficiency of this methodology.