Rhodium-Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling/Cyclization of 2-Phenylindoles with Alkynes via C-H and N-H Bond Cleavages with Air as the Oxidant

The straightforward and efficient synthesis of indolo[2,1-a]isoguinoline derivatives has been achieved by the rhodium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling/cyclization of 2-phenylindoles with alkynes. Some of the polycyclic products exhibit solid-state fluorescence.