Abstract The selenium-induced cyclization of α-alkyl or α, α-dialkyl-homoallyl-benzylamines 1 by use of PhSeX (X= Cl, Br, I; 1.5 equiv.) provided a mixture of (phenylselanylmethyl) azetidines 2 and (phenylselanyl) pyrrolidines 3. 1 When an excess of PhSeX (X= Cl, Br) was used, 4-halopyrrolidines 4 (X= Cl) or 5 (X= Br) were formed and isolated in very good yields. Mono-or dialkyl 4-halopyrrolidines 4 and 5 could also be obtained stereospecifically by ...
