Dehydroxyselenocyanation of alcohols under grinding conditions

A novel strategy for dehydroxyselenocyanation of alcohols, utilizing a readily available electrophilic selenocyanating reagent <i>N</i>-selenocyanatophthalimide in combination with triphenylphosphine under grinding conditions within 2 min at room temperature was developed. This solvent-free methodology is time-efficient and features a broad substrate scope, enabling the late-stage functionalization of diverse pharmaceutical molecules and natural products.