Rh-Catalyzed oxidative C-H activation/annulation: converting anilines to indoles using molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant

A practical and efficient Rh(III)-catalyzed aerobic C-H activation has been developed for the facile synthesis of a broad range of indoles from simple anilines and alkynes. The protocol could be conducted under mild conditions and used environmentally friendly oxygen as the sole clear oxidant.