Merging C–H Bond Activation, Alkyne Insertion, and Rearrangements by Rh(III)-Catalysis: Oxindole Synthesis from Nitroarenes and Alkynes
Marie Peng, Chang‐Sheng Wang, Pan‐Pan Chen, Thierry Roisnel, Henri Doucet, K. N. Houk, Jean‐François Soulé
Abstract
We report a Rh(III)-catalyzed ortho -C–H bond functionalization of nitroarenes with 1,2-diarylalkynes and carboxylic anhydrides. The reaction unpredictably affords 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles with the formal reduction of the nitro group under redox-neutral conditions. Besides good functional group tolerance, this transformation allows the preparation of oxindoles with a quaternary carbon stereocenter using nonsymmetrical 1,2-diarylalkynes. This protocol is facilitated by the use of a functionalized cyclopentadienyl (Cp TMP *)Rh(III) [Cp TMP * = 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl] catalyst we developed, which combines an electron-rich character with an elliptical shape. Mechanistic investigations, including the isolation of three rhodacyle intermediates and extensive density functional theory calculations, indicate that the reaction proceeds through nitrosoarene intermediates via a cascade of C–H bond activation─O-atom transfer─[1,2]-aryl shift─deoxygenation─ N -acylation.