Controllable synthesis of N–H or N -Me C7-substituted indazoles via a cascade reaction of α-diazo esters with aryne precursors

A [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction utilizing cyclic diaryl λ 3 -bromanes and α-diazo esters to deliver either N–H or N -Me indazoles in a controllable manner is reported. DFT calculations explain the regioselectivity and the mechanism.