Pyridine-facilitated phenylselenoetherification of some tertiary alkenols

An improved procedure for intramolecular cyclization of tertiary alkenols u sing benzenese-lenyl halides has been developed. We found that cyclization can be facilitated by pyridine. Thus, in the presence of an equimolar amoun t of pyridine, a chemospecific reaction could be observed that resulted in formation of corresponding cyclic ethers, and quantitative yields were achi eved instantaneously under extremely mild experimental conditions. The effe ct of the halide ion of the selenylating reagent is not significant, both h alides generally giving equal results. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.