Selective Synthesis of Six Products from a Single Indolyl α-Diazocarbonyl Precursor.

Indolyl α-diazocarbonyls can be selectively cyclized to give six distinct products through the careful choice of catalyst and reaction conditions. A range of catalysts were used, including complexes of Rh(II) , Pd(II) , and Cu(II) , as well as SiO2 , to promote diazo decomposition and subsequent cyclization/rearrangement through a range of mechanistic pathways.