A rhodium-catalyzed tandem reaction of N-sulfonyl triazoles with indoles: access to indole-substituted indanones

Abstract

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of structurally diverse indole-substituted indanones via a rhodium(II)-catalyzed tandem reaction of N-sulfonyltriazoles with indoles was developed. The reaction involves rhodium(II)-catalyzed denitrogenation of the N-sulfonyltriazoles to form an oxonium ylide, followed by nucleophilic addition of the indoles and subsequent skeletal rearrangement. This strategy provides straightforward access to indanone frameworks bearing quaternary carbon centers.