Rh(III)-Catalyzed C–H Annulation of <i>N</i>-Nitrosoanilines with Iodonium Ylides for the Synthesis of <i>N</i>-Alkyl Indoles

Abstract

A novel protocol for synthesizing <i>N</i>-alkyl indoles from readily available <i>N</i>-nitrosoanilines and iodonium ylides through the rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H bond activation/intramolecular cyclization reaction has been described. This strategy employs nitroso as a traceless directing group. The transformation features powerful reactivity, tolerates various functional groups, and proceeds with moderate yields under mild reaction conditions, providing a straightforward approach to access structurally diverse and valuable <i>N</i>-alkyl indole derivatives.