Visible-Light-Promoted Selenylative Spirocyclization of Indolyl-ynones toward the Formation of 3-Selenospiroindolenine Anticancer Agents.

A metal-free and efficient visible-light-induced spirocyclization of indolyl-ynones with diselenides at room temperature under air atmosphere to prepare 3-selenospiroindolenines in moderate to good yields has been developed. The resulting products were tested for in vitro anticancer activity by MTT assay, and compounds 3 c and 3 e showed potent cancer cell-growth inhibition activities.