Chemoselective Installation of Diverse Succinimides on Fused Benzimidazoles via Rhodium-Catalyzed C-H Activation/Annulation: Chemosensor for Heavy Metals.

A novel Rh-catalyzed cascade C-H activation/annulation of 2-arylbenzimidazoles with maleimides is reported. Rapid chemoselective access to two structurally distinct succinimide-bearing benzoimidazoisoquinolinones is achieved, depending on the acidic and basic conditions. This atom- and step-economic strategy features a wide substrate scope, excellent functional group tolerance, and site-specific functionalization. Application of the methodology yields a novel benzimidazole-based probe as a fluorescent chemosensor for the nanomolar detection of Hg, Cu, and Fe ions.