Synthesis of indoles via amidoselenation

The reaction of 2-styrylacetanilides (2) with N-phenylselenosuccinimide affords 1-N-acetyl-2-phenyl-3-phenylselenoindoles (3) and 1-N-acetyl-2-phenylindoles (4) . The reaction of 2-vinylacetanilides (5) with phenylselenenyl bromide proceeds to form indoles via an intramolecular amidoselenation.