Rh(III)-Catalyzed Sequential C-H Amination/Annulation Cascade Reactions: Synthesis of Multisubstituted Benzimidazoles.

An efficient and practical method to construct benzimidazoles via Rh(III)-catalyzed sequential C-H amination and annulation cascade reaction has been developed. The cascade reaction displays high step, atom, and redox economy, is compatible with the air, and has good functional group tolerance and high efficiency. The titled products can be easily further converted into imidazo[4,5-c]acridines, which were observed unique fluorescent properties.