Chemoselective synthesis of highly substituted 1,2-allenyl ketones, furans, and 2-alkynyl ketones from reaction of lithium selenolates with 1-(1-alkynyl)cyclopropyl ketones and electrophiles.

A homo-Michael addition reaction of lithium selenolates with 1-(1-alkynyl)cyclopropyl ketones and the subsequent reaction with electrophiles such as PhSeBr, NFSI and NCS is reported. Based on the nature of electrophiles, this reaction may afford highly substituted 1,2-allenyl ketones or furans (E(+) = PhSe(+)) and 2-alkynyl ketones (E(+) = F(+), Cl(+), active halides) as the final products, respectively.