Rh(III)-catalyzed intramolecular redox-neutral or oxidative cyclization of alkynes: short, efficient synthesis of 3,4-fused indole skeletons.

A Rh(III)-catalyzed intramolecular redox-neutral or oxidative annulation of a tethered alkyne has been developed to efficiently construct 3,4-fused indoles via a C-H activation pathway. The advantages of this process are (1) ready availability of annulation precursors; (2) broad substrate scope; (3) complete regioselectivity; (4) simple and mild reaction conditions; and (5) no need for an external oxidant or to employ molecular oxygen as the stoichiometric terminal oxidant.