Lewis base catalyzed and Brønsted acid controlled chemodivergent electrophilic selenofunctionalizations of alkynes were developed for the first time. Various selenium-containing tetrasubstituted alkenes were readily obtained in moderate to excellent yields with complete E/Z selectivities.

Comprehensive Summary

Lewis base catalyzed and Brønsted acid controlled chemodivergent electrophilic selenofunctionalizations of alkynes were developed for the first time. Various selenium-containing tetrasubstituted alkenes were readily obtained in moderate to excellent yields with complete E/Z selectivities. As the substrates were 1-ethynyl naphthol derivatives, linear selenium-containing tetrasubstituted alkenes were produced via intermolecular oxygen nucleophilic attack in the absence of acid additive; in contrast, cyclic selenium-containing tetrasubstituted alkenes were generated through intramolecular carbon nucleophilic capture with the addition of Brønsted acid.