Triple role of phenylselenonyl group enabled a one-pot synthesis of 1,3-oxazinan-2-ones from α-isocyanoacetates, phenyl vinyl selenones, and water.

Reaction of α-substituted α-isocyanoacetates with phenyl vinyl selenones in the presence of a catalytic amount of base (DBU or Et3N, 0.05-0.1 equiv) followed by addition of p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA, 0.1-0.2 equiv) afforded 4,4,5-trisubstituted 1,3-oxazinan-2-ones in good to excellent yields. Enantiomerically enriched heterocycles can also be prepared using a Cinchona alkaloid-derived bifunctional organocatalyst for the Michael addition step. The phenylselenonyl group served as an activator for the Michael addition, a leaving group and a latent oxidant in this integrated reaction sequence.