Sulfoxonium Ylides as Carbene Precursors: Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Sequential C-H Functionalization, Selective Enol Oxygen-Atom Nucleophilic Addition, and Hydrolysis

Herein, we report a protocol for Rh(III)-catalyzed annulation reactions between oxazolines and sulfoxonium ylides via a sequence involving C-H activation, selective enol oxygen-atom nucleophilic addition, and hydrolysis. This practical, operationally simple protocol has a wide substrate range, excellent regioselectivity, and moderate to good yields.