Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Sequential C−H Activation and Cyclization from N‐Methoxyarylamides and 3‐Diazooxindoles for the Synthesis of Isochromenoindolones

An efficient synthetic method for structurally various isochromenoindolones has been demonstrated through Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation followed by a cyclization reaction of N-methoxyarylamides with 3-diazooxindoles. The sequential reaction involves the streamlined formation of C-C and C-O bonds in one pot. The present method provides a broad range of isochromenoindolones as a new privileged scaffold in moderate to good yields with the release of methoxyamine and molecular nitrogen and has the benefits of a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance.