An efficient one-pot synthesis of highly functionalized selenophenes

The reaction between active alkenes such as 2-pyridin-2-yl-methylene-malononitrile or ethyl-2-cyano-3-pyridin-2-yl-acrylate and acetylenic esters in the presence of KSeCN at room temperature provided a simple and efficient one-pot route for the synthesis of highly functionalized selenophenes. The reaction is characterized by mild conditions, short reaction time and tolerance to various functional groups and the products were fully characterized by multinuclear (1H, 13C, and 77Se) NMR spectroscopy.