Dual C-H activation: Rh(iii)-catalyzed cascade π-extended annulation of 2-arylindole with benzoquinone.

A rhodium-catalyzed, N-H free indole directed cyclization reaction of benzoquinone via a dual C-H activation strategy is disclosed. This protocol has a good functional group tolerance and affords useful indole-fused heterocylces. Besides, it is insensitive to moisture, commercially available solvent can be directly used and work quite well for this transformation.