Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Oxidative Allylic C-H Indolylation via Nucleophilic Cyclization.

Reported herein is a mild synthesis of 3-allylindoles via Rh(III)-catalyzed allylic C-H activation of olefins and coupling with o-alkynylanilines. The reaction proceeded via initial nucleophilic cyclization of o-alkynylanilines followed by oxidative coupling with allylic C-H bonds via an η3-allyl intermediate.