Electrochemical regioselective selenylation/oxidation of N-alkylisoquinolinium salts via double C(sp2)-H bond functionalization.

An efficient, novel, and environmentally friendly electrochemical regioselective selenylation/oxidation of N-alkylisoquinolinium salts via double C(sp2)-H bond functionalization under undivided electrolytic conditions has been developed. A series of selenide isoquinolones were easily accessed through this sustainable and clean electrochemical system. The present protocol was further extended to afford selenide quinolones and 1,3-dimethyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-ones. Furthermore, antiviral bioassays demonstrated that compound 3j exhibited excellent antiviral activity against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), and its inhibition rate was up to 90%.