Ebselen

Generally, synthesis of the characteristic scaffold of ebselen, the benzoisoselenazolone ring system, can be achieved either through reaction of primary amines (RNH2) with 2-(chloroseleno)benzoyl chloride (Route I), by ortho-lithiation of benzanilides followed by oxidative cyclization (Route II) mediated by cupric bromide (CuBr2), or through the efficient Cu-catalyzed selenation / heterocyclization of o-halobenzamides, a methodology developed by Kumar et al. (Route III). : == History ==

The first patent for 2-phenyl-1,2-benzoselenazol-3(2H)-one was filed in 1980 and granted in 1982. ==Research==

Ebselen is in preliminary clinical development for the potential treatment of hearing loss and depression, among other medical indications. == References ==