Rhodium-Catalyzed C(sp 2 )-H Alkoxycarbonylation/Acylation of Indolines with Anhydrides as a Carbonyl Source.

We developed rhodium-catalyzed alkoxylcarbonylation/acylation of indolines using anhydrides as a safe and easy-to-handle carbonyl source. This catalytic process represents an additive- and CO-free carbonylation, establishing a simple and straightforward protocol for synthesizing C7-carbonylated indolines. Notably, this reaction provides a successful example of C-H acylation of indolines that results in the formation of α-branched ketones, which were difficult to prepare by previously reported analogous catalytic reactions.