A simple metal free protocol for the diastereoselective synthesis of spiroaziridines using easily accessible substrates is disclosed.

An efficient and straightforward synthesis of diversified seleno-azaspiro-2,5-cyclohexadienones from N-(4-methoxy aryl)­propiolamides using elemental selenium and boronic acids has been demonstrated. The reaction proceeds through silver-catalyzed oxidative dearomatization in the presence of potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) as the oxidant. Further, this approach was extended to N-(4-methoxy aryl)­propiolates and biaryl ynones to access the corresponding selenylated oxospiro-2,5-cyclohexadienones and spiro­[5,5]­trienones, respectively. The present three-component method offers the diverse substitutions on selenium involving two C–Se and one C–C bond formations.

Correction for ‘I2/TBHP mediated diastereoselective synthesis of spiroaziridines’ by Kizhakkan Thiruthi Ashitha et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2020, 18, 1588–1593, DOI: 10.1039/C9OB02711D.