A novel synthesis of 2-aryl-2H-indazoles via a palladium-catalyzed intramolecular amination reaction.

[reaction: see text] A variety of 2-aryl-2H-indazoles were synthesized by the palladium-catalyzed intramolecular amination of the corresponding N-aryl-N(o-bromobenzyl)hydrazines. Of several sets of reaction conditions surveyed, the combination of Pd(OAc)2/dppf/tBuONa gave the best results. This method applies to a wide scope of substrates containing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents.