Organoselenium-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Alkenes and Azlactones

The carbon-carbon bond-forming cross-dehydrogenative coupling of alkenes and azlactones by organoselenium catalysis involving a high-valent para-methoxyphenyl selenium species is disclosed. A series of alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acid derivatives were obtained in excellent regioselectivities through vinyl or allylic C-H functionalization. The generality of the method was elucidated by the cross-coupling of an alkene with an oxindole and the direct functionalization of electron-rich arenes with azlactones.