Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Sequential Cyclization of N -Boc Hydrazones with Propargylic Monofluoroalkynes via C-H Activation/C-F Cleavage for the Synthesis of Spiro[cyclobutane-1,9'-indeno[1,2- a ]indenes].

An effective rhodium(III) catalysis for the construction of valuable tetracyclic compounds is described herein. This domino process involving the C-H activation/[3 + 2] annulation/intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction sequences of simple and readily available N -Boc hydrazones and propargylic monofluoroalkynes afforded fused tetracyclic spiro[cyclobutane-1,9'-indeno[1,2- a ]indenes] in moderate to good yields, featuring three C-C bond formation. Moreover, control experiments indicated that the C-H activation might be involved in the rate-determining step.