CuI-Catalyzed intramolecular aminocyanation of terminal alkynes in N-(2-ethynylphenyl)-N-sulfonylcyanamides via Cu-vinylidene intermediates

CuI-Catalyzed intramolecular aminocyanation of terminal alkynes in N-(2-ethynylphenyl)-N-sulfonylcyanamides was initiated by the formation of Cu-acetylide to trigger N-CN bond cleavage of the N-sulfonylcyanamide moiety followed by CN migration to form a beta-cyano Cu-vinylidene intermediate. Subsequently, the indole ring closure furnished the corresponding 1-sulfonyl-3-cyanoindoles.