ChemInform Abstract: Ruthenium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Amination Reactions of Aryl- and Vinylazides

The catalytic activity of a series of ruthenium complexes for C−H amination reactions of organic azides was investigated. The most active catalyst was found to be RuCl3, which promotes C−H amination reactions of ortho-aryl phenylazides, 1-azido-2-arylvinylazides, and 1-azido-1,3-butadienes to give carbazoles, indoles, and pyrroles, respectively. Both computational and experimental results support that a two-step process involving formal electrocyclization is involved in the catalytic reaction.