Preparation of 2,3-dihydroselenolo[2,3-b]pyridines and related compounds by free-radical means

Abstract

Photolysis of the thiohydroximate ester derivative 21 of 2-carboethoxy-2-(2-(benzylseleno)pyridin-3-yl)tridecylcarboxylic acid (20) affords 2-dodecyl-2-carboethoxy-2,3-dihydroselenolo[2,3-b]pyridine (22) in 89% yield in a process presumably involving intramolecular homolytic substitution by a tertiary alkyl radical at selenium with loss of a benzyl radical. Alternatively, rearrangement of O-(ω-haloalkyl)esters 34 of 2-carboethoxy-N-hydroxypyridine-2-selone affords azonianaphthalenium halides 37 in 79% yield. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2006.