Condition-Controlled Rh(III)-Catalyzed Chemodivergent Cyclization of 2-Arylpyridines with CF<sub>3</sub>-Imidoyl Sulfoxonium Ylides via Triple C–H Activation
Xiaoyang Gao, Ruirui Zhai, Juting Liao, Guiwei Yao, Hui Meng, Yu Luo, Dulin Kong, Shuojin Wang, Xun Chen
Abstract
A condition-controlled Rh(III)-catalyzed selective synthesis of CF 3 -substituted indoles and pyrido[2,1- a ]isoindoles from 2-arylpyridines and CF 3 -imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides has been developed. The Cp*Rh(MeCN) 3 (SbF 6 ) 2 /HFIP system afforded CF 3 -substituted indoles via triple C–H activation, while the [Cp*RhCl 2 ] 2 /MeCN condition selectively furnished CF 3 -substituted pyrido[2,1- a ]isoindoles through C–H [4 + 1] annulation. The notable advantages of this developed method included readily available starting materials, broad substrate scope, and excellent chemoselectivity. Importantly, several selected products showed promising antitumor activities.