C(sp 2 )-H selenylation of substituted benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1- b ]thiazoles using phenyliodine(iii)bis(trifluoroacetate) as a mediator.

Herein, an expeditious metal-free regioselective C-H selenylation of substituted benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1- b ]thiazole derivatives was devised to synthesize structurally orchestrated selenoethers with good to excellent yields. This PIFA [bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodobenzene]-mediated protocol operates under mild conditions and offers broad functional group tolerance. In-depth mechanistic investigation supports the involvement of radical pathways. Furthermore, the synthetic utility of this methodology is portrayed through gram-scale synthesis.