Myers-Inspired Selenium-Mediated Isomerization: An Efficient Generation of Contra-Thermodynamic Allenes and Alkenes with the Potential for Reductive Deamination of Primary Amines and Metal-Free Hydrogenation of Dienes

Abstract

Novel methods of catalytic metal-free isomerization reactions are scarce. By combining precedents in reductive defunctionalization reactions, coupled with previous advances in selenium-catalyzed C-N bond forming reactions, we have developed a contemporary but efficient manner of reaching contra-thermodynamic isomers of alkenes and alkynes. These isomerizations follow a well envisioned mechanistic path that may lead to further development in reductive deamination reactions, such as the reduction of primary amines such as anilines, and diamines to monoenes.