Selenium-Catalyzed Halolactonization:  Nucleophilic Activation of Electrophilic Halogenating Reagents

Diphenyl diselenide catalyzes the halolactonization of unsaturated acids with N-halosuccinimides under mild conditions. The diselenide not only accelerates the reactions, but in some cases affords regiocontrol in favor of gamma-lactone products. Experiments show that the regioselectivity in favor of gamma-lactones is a result of kinetic rather than thermodynamic control.