Rh(III)-Catalyzed Indole Dearomative 1,2-Alkoxyl Shift Rearrangement

A Rh(III)-catalyzed dearomative C3 alkoxylation of indoles via cascade C(sp2)-H activation and 1,2-alkoxyl shift rearrangement has been developed. This method provides an efficient strategy to rapidly assemble 3-alkoxyindolin-2-one scaffolds using alcohols as alkoxyl sources. Mechanistic studies indicate that indolyl C2 alkoxylation followed by Ag(I)/Cu(II)-mediated 1,2-alkoxyl migration is involved in this transformation.