The direct synthesis of 5-selenotetrazoles <i>via</i> an electrochemical three-component reaction between isonitriles, diselenides and TMSN₃

A convenient electrochemical method to construct 5-selenotetrazoles from isocyanides, diselenides and azidotrimethylsilane (TMSN₃) has been accomplished in simple undivided cells under ambient conditions. Specifically, using this strategy, the electrochemical transformation proceeds smoothly under mild reaction conditions, and it also does not need any metal or external oxidants and has a wide range of substrates compared to conventional synthesis methods. Furthermore, a gram-scale electrosynthesis and free radical inhibition experiment confirmed this electrochemical procedure to be a radical pathway and demonstrated its practical application potential.