A new and efficient approach for the synthesis of oxygen and nitrogen heterocycles by organoselenium catalysis has been developed. The exo-cyclization proceeded smoothly under mild conditions with good functional group tolerance and excellent regioselectivity. Mechanistic studies revealed that 1-fluoropyridinium triflate is key for oxidative cyclization.
Stereocontrolled one-pot synthesis of cyclopentane derivatives possessing quaternary carbon using allyl phenylsulfone and epoxyiodide was presented. Furthermore, application of this protocol to the synthesis of cycloalkane derivatives with different ring sizes was successful.