Construction of C(sp 2 )–S and C(sp 2 )–Se bonds via a silver( i )-mediated coupling reaction of heterocyclic ketene aminals with diaryl dichalcogenides

A novel silver( i )-mediated direct coupling reaction using heterocyclic ketene aminals (HKAs) and diaryl dichalcogenides for the construction of C(sp 2 )–S and C(sp 2 )–Se bonds was reported. The transformation involves a variety of functionalized substrates, leading to α-arylthio and α-phenylselanyl HKAs in a mild, facile and efficient way with high regioselectivity and excellent yields. The broad scope of the starting materials enhanced the chemo-diversity of the target materials, thus affording a number of potential applications in the synthesis of heterocycles and its relevant medicinal chemistry.