Continuous-flow electrosynthesis of Selenium-substituted Iminoisobenzofuran via Oxidative Cyclization of Olefinic amides and Diselenides

A green and efficient approach for the synthesis of selenium-substituted iminoisobenzofuran using 2-vinylbenzamides and diselenides in a continuous electrochemical microreactor has been developed. This strategy enabled the preparation of a series iminoisobenzofuran derivatives in moderate to good yields under metal-free and oxidant-free conditions. The application of electrochemical flow system successfully overcomes the difficult process control of traditional electrochemistry and achieves efficient transformation of electricity. Moreover, the continuous-flow system combined with electrosynthesis overcomes the difficulty to realize scale-up reaction in conventional batch-type electrolysis.