Metal-free visible-light induced cyclization/substitution cascade reaction of alkyne-tethered cyclohexadienones and diselenides: access to 5-hydroxy-3-selenyl-4a,8a-dihydro-2H-chromen-6(5H)-ones

A simple and efficient Se-radical triggered cyclization/substitution cascade reaction of alkyne-tethered cyclohexadienones to the product of 3 has been developed. The compounds 3e and 3q showed potent cancer cell-growth inhibition activities.