Cyclization of Alkyne-Azide with Isonitrile/CO via Self-Relay Rhodium Catalysis

A self-relay rhodium(I)-catalyzed cyclization of alkyne-azides with two sigma-donor/pi-acceptor ligands (isonitriles and CO) to form sequentially multiple-fused heterocycle systems via tandem nitrene transformation and aza-Pauson-Khand cyclization has been developed. In this approach, an intriguing chemoselective insertion process of isonitriles superior to CO was observed. This reaction provides an alternative strategy to synthesize functionalized pyrrolo[2,3-b]indole scaffolds.