Small-molecule organoselenocyanates: Recent developments toward synthesis,anticancer, and antioxidant activities

Cellular redox homeostasis is very important for the overall cellular development, function, and oxidative stress often disrupts the process. Small-molecule organoselenium compounds exert key roles in maintaining the redox homeostasis during oxidative stress and cancer owing to their notable antioxidant activities. Among different organoselenium compounds, small-molecule organoselenocyanates have attracted much research attention due to their synthetic utilities and therapeutic potentials. Therefore, the development of convenient synthetic methodologies to different classes of organoselenocyanates from various precursors was explored over the years as useful synthetic building blocks. Additionally, considering their inherent redox and antioxidant properties, the development of biologically relevant organoselenocyanates upon their conjugation with the existing drugs and natural products has been chosen for enhancing the drug potencies and in ameliorating the drug-induced side-effects. In the present report, we have discussed some of the very recent and relevant developments on these aspects in a very concise manner.