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(sp2)–H bond alkenylation and C­(sp2)–H, C­(sp3)–H oxidative coupling reactions.