Homolytic substitution on selenium: formation of selenium-containing heterocycles by direct carbon–selenium bond formation

Abstract
Thiohydroxamic esters derived from 5-(benzylseleon)pentanoic acid, 6-(benzylseleno)hexanoic acid and 7-(benzylseleno)heptanoic acid decompose smoothly upon irradiation, with the loss of carbon dioxide, to give tetrahydroselenophene, selenane and selenopane in good yield.