C–H Allylation and [3 + 2] Dipolar Cycloaddition between Azomethine Imines and Vinyl Cyclopropanes under Rh(III) Catalysis

A rhodium(III)-catalyzed C–H functionalization of azomethine imines with vinyl cyclopropanes (VCPs) is proposed. Mechanistically, VCPs participate in olefin insertion and β-C elimination to produce allylated intermediates, which undergo endotype [3 + 2] dipolar cycloaddition, providing indenopyrazolopyrazolones. Post-transformations of malonate-containing tetracyclic N-heterocycles highlight the synthetic relevance of the proposed method.