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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Palladium N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Synthesis from Benzimidazolium Salts and Catalytic Activity in Carbon-carbon Bond-forming Reactions
Published on: July 30, 2017
Catalytic use of selenium electrophiles in cyclizations
Danielle M Browne1, Osamu Niyomura, Thomas Wirth
1School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, U.K.
A novel one-pot reaction efficiently synthesizes butenolides from (E)-3-butenoic acids using selenium electrophiles. This catalytic method offers a convenient route to valuable organic compounds.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Synthetic Chemistry
Background:
- Selenium electrophiles are important reagents in organic synthesis.
- Catalytic methods offer advantages in efficiency and sustainability.
- Butenolides are a class of valuable organic compounds with diverse applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new and convenient one-pot method for synthesizing butenolides.
- To utilize selenium electrophiles in a catalytic addition-elimination reaction.
Main Methods:
- A one-pot reaction was developed using diphenyl diselenide as a catalyst.
- [Bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene was used as the oxidant.
- The reaction was performed in acetonitrile solvent.
Main Results:
- A range of (E)-3-butenoic acids were converted into their corresponding butenolides.
- The reaction proceeded in good yields.
- The method is a catalytic addition-elimination reaction.
Conclusions:
- A new, convenient, and efficient one-pot method for butenolide synthesis has been established.
- This method employs a catalytic system with selenium electrophiles.
- The developed protocol provides a valuable synthetic route to butenolides.
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