The methylation of 2-(2-bromophenyl)acetonitrile (I) with Me-I and NaH in THF gives 2-(2-bromophenyl)-2-methylpropionitrile (II), which is reduced with BH3/THF to yield 2-(2-bromophenyl)-2-methylpropylamine (III) (1). Finally, this compound is cyclized with potassium selenocyanate in DMF to afford the target 1,2-benzoselenazine.