Iodosobenzene-Mediated Three-Component Selenofunctionalization of Olefins

A three-component reaction of olefin, diselenide and water, alcohols, phenol, carboxylic acid, or amine by a commercially available hypervalent iodine(III) reagent, PhIO, was developed. This method provides access to a wide range of vicinally functionalized selenoderivatives under ambient conditions with mostly excellent yields and high diastereoselectivity. The developed reaction displays high levels of functional group compatibility and is suitable for the late-stage functionalization of styrene-functionalized biomolecules. Preliminary investigations on the mechanism of the reaction are also presented.