Novel reactivity of SeO2 with 1,3-dienes: selenophene formation.

A novel and efficient method for the synthesis of selenophenes is disclosed. Selenophenes were synthesized in high yields in a single operation from 1,3-dienes containing a carbonyl group at the C-1 position and selenium dioxide. The bidirectional synthesis of selenophenes can also be demonstrated using this method. The selenophene is believed to form via a [4 + 2] cycloaddition between diene and selenium dioxide.