Synthesis of substituted 3-indolylimines and indole-3-carboxaldehydes by rhodium(II)-catalyzed annulation

Abstract

An efficient Cu/Rh-catalyzed method is proposed for the synthesis of 3-indolylimines from N-propargylanilines through Rh(II)-catalyzed denitrogenative annulation of N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles. Further combined with hydrolysis or reduction, a one-pot method is developed to enable the direct incorporation of an imine, aldehyde, or amine group into an indole system from an alkyne. A variety of substituted 3-indolylimines, indole-3-carboxaldehydes, and 3-Indolylmethanamines are synthesized in good yields.