Substrate-controlled Rh(<scp>iii</scp>)-catalyzed regiodivergent annulation towards fused and spiro benzimidazoles

Abstract

Switchable selectivity towards the formation of two distinct products, benzimidazole-fused isoquinolines and benzimidazole-spiro isoindoles, can be achieved using unsubstituted and substituted benzimidazoles at the ortho -position of the phenyl ring.