Dibenzoylperoxide‐Mediated Oxidative α‐Thio/Seleno‐Cyanation of β‐Ketoesters and Oxindoles

Abstract We herein report a protocol for the α‐thio‐ and α‐seleno‐cyanation of different cyclic β‐ketoesters and oxindoles by using NaSCN or KSeCN as easily accessible inorganic nucleophilic S(e)CN sources under oxidative conditions. Key to success for both transformations is the use of dibenzoylperoxide as an oxidant allowing for the coupling of two inherently nucleophilic species under operationally simple conditions in high yields and with broad functional group tolerance.