Rh(III)-Catalyzed Carbocyclization of 3-(Indolin-1-yl)-3-oxopropanenitriles with Alkynes and Alkenes through C-H Activation.

Rh(III)-catalyzed carbocyclization reactions of 3-(indolin-1-yl)-3-oxopropanenitriles with alkynes and alkenes have been developed to form 1,7-fused indolines through C-H activation. These reactions have a broad range of substrates and high yields. Unsymmetrical aryl-alkyl substituted alkynes proceeded smoothly with high regioselectivity. Electron-rich alkynes could undergo further oxidative coupling reaction to form polycyclic compounds. For alkenes, 1,2-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-4-ones were formed via C(sp)-H bond alkenylation and C(sp)-H, C(sp)-H oxidative coupling reactions.