Visible-light-mediated selenylation/cyclization reactions of diselenide with acrylimide derivatives: synthesis of selenosubstituted pyrrolidine-2,5-diones.

Herein, we describe a visible-light-mediated selenylation/cyclization reaction of selenium radicals generated from diselenides as radical sources with acrylimide derivatives, which provides a mild and effective method for the synthesis of symmetrical selenosubstituted pyrrolidine-2,5-diones. The described catalytic strategy has the advantages of mild reaction conditions, being metal-free, requiring no additives, easy operation, and having a good substrate range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]